Shehbaz Sharif Orders Roadmap for 100% Digital Payments Across Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed government authorities to prepare a clear roadmap with specific deadlines and measurable targets for establishing a 100% digital payment system across Pakistan, as the government accelerates its efforts to promote a cashless economy.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on November 6, 2026, focused on expanding digital transactions and improving the country’s payment infrastructure.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister instructed relevant departments to immediately address problems faced by users of digital payment services. He also emphasised the need to expand internet connectivity and make digital technology more accessible to people throughout the country.

The government is also encouraging consumers and businesses to use Raast QR codes for everyday transactions. Electricity and gas consumers will be specifically encouraged to pay their bills through QR codes printed on utility bills.

The meeting also discussed important deadlines for government payment digitisation. Most federal and provincial government institutions are expected to complete the digitisation of their payments by December 2026, while cheque-based payments through Asaan Assignment Accounts are scheduled to move to the Raast digital system from November 16.

The announcement represents another step in Pakistan’s broader transition towards a cashless economy, although achieving nationwide digital payments will depend on infrastructure, accessibility, public adoption and reliable payment services.

PM Orders a Time-Bound Plan for 100% Digital Payments

The prime minister has asked relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for establishing a fully digital payment system across Pakistan.

Rather than relying only on general targets, the proposed roadmap is expected to include specific timelines and measurable objectives.

The directive reflects the government’s intention to expand digital payments beyond major cities and established commercial centres.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the difficulties experienced by consumers while using digital payment services should be resolved immediately.

These issues can include payment failures, transaction delays, limited access to banking services and difficulties using digital applications. Improving the reliability of payment services will be important if the government wants more people to adopt electronic transactions.

The prime minister also highlighted the importance of nationwide internet availability and easier access to technology.

A digital payment system cannot operate effectively if people cannot reliably access the internet, payment applications or the devices needed to complete transactions.

Raast QR Code Payments to Receive More Government Support

A major part of the government’s cashless economy strategy involves expanding the use of Raast QR codes.

Raast is Pakistan’s instant payment system developed under the State Bank of Pakistan. It is designed to facilitate electronic payments between individuals, businesses and participating financial institutions.

QR codes can make digital payments easier by allowing customers to scan a merchant’s code through a supported banking or payment application.

The government wants to expand this approach to everyday purchases and commercial transactions.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif directed that the existing initiative promoting digital payments between consumers and merchants through Raast QR codes should continue under government support.

The initiative is intended to make digital payments more convenient for customers while encouraging merchants to accept electronic transactions.

For small businesses, retailers and service providers, QR-code payments can provide an alternative to handling cash or installing more complex payment infrastructure.

However, successful adoption will depend on merchant participation, consumer awareness, transaction reliability and the availability of suitable payment applications.

Electricity and Gas Bills to Promote QR Code Payments

The government also plans to encourage consumers to pay their electricity and gas bills through QR codes printed on utility bills.

The prime minister instructed authorities to launch an effective media campaign to promote this payment method.

Under the proposed approach, consumers will be encouraged to scan the QR code appearing on their utility bills and complete payments through supported digital payment services.

This could make bill payments more convenient by reducing the need to visit physical payment counters or use traditional payment methods.

The initiative could also help familiarise consumers with QR-code payments because electricity and gas bills reach households and businesses throughout the country.

However, consumers should continue to verify payment details and use official or trusted banking applications before completing transactions.

The government has not indicated that every traditional bill-payment option will immediately disappear as a result of this campaign.

Most Government Institutions Expected to Digitise Payments by December 2026

Another important development discussed during the meeting concerns payment digitisation across federal and provincial government institutions.

Officials briefed the prime minister that work on digitising payments in government departments was progressing rapidly.

According to the briefing, most institutions are expected to complete the transition by December 2026.

This initiative could affect a wide range of government transactions, including payments made by departments to suppliers, contractors, employees and other recipients.

Digitising government payments can reduce dependence on paper-based processes and provide electronic records that may help improve financial monitoring.

It can also make certain transactions faster and easier to track.

However, the target refers to most government institutions rather than confirming that every public-sector payment in Pakistan will become digital by the end of December.

The extent of implementation will depend on each institution’s systems, technical readiness and ability to comply with the government’s instructions.

BISP Payments Already Being Made Through Digital Wallets

The meeting was also informed that 100% of payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) were being made through digital wallets.

BISP is one of Pakistan’s major social protection programmes, providing financial assistance to eligible low-income households.

Moving payments to digital wallets is intended to make financial assistance more accessible and improve the process through which beneficiaries receive support.

Digital payment channels can also provide electronic transaction records and reduce some of the administrative difficulties associated with cash distribution.

However, successful implementation requires beneficiaries to understand how to access their digital funds and use the available payment facilities.

People who are unfamiliar with smartphones, digital wallets or financial applications may require additional guidance.

The government’s wider digital-payment strategy will therefore need to consider financial literacy and accessibility, particularly for people living in rural and underserved communities.

Asaan Assignment Account Cheques to Be Replaced by Raast

One of the most immediate changes announced during the meeting concerns payments through Asaan Assignment Accounts.

According to the briefing, cheque-based payments through these accounts will be discontinued after November 15, 2026.

From November 16, payments through Asaan Assignment Accounts across the country will be made through the Raast digital payment system.

Drawing and disbursing officers have already received training to support the transition.

This change is intended to move government payment transactions away from traditional cheque-based processes and towards electronic transfers.

The transition could reduce paperwork and provide a more direct payment mechanism for eligible recipients.

It is also an important example of how the government’s cashless economy programme is moving beyond consumer transactions and extending into public-sector financial operations.

The November 16 deadline is particularly significant because it represents a specific implementation date rather than a general policy objective.

Government Working on Digital Payments for Areas Without Internet

Expanding digital payments nationwide presents a challenge for areas where internet connectivity is limited or unreliable.

The meeting was informed that work was underway to introduce a modern digital payment system for locations without internet access.

This is an important part of the government’s plan because a fully digital payment system cannot rely exclusively on people having continuous access to broadband or mobile internet.

Rural communities, remote settlements and underserved regions may face connectivity problems that make conventional online payment applications difficult to use.

An effective offline-capable payment arrangement could help address some of these limitations.

However, the specific technical design, operating conditions and launch timeline of the proposed system have not yet been publicly detailed in the announcement.

The government has also stated that work to expand internet infrastructure across Pakistan is progressing.

Both initiatives will be important for increasing access to digital financial services outside major urban centres.

Why Is Pakistan Moving Towards a Cashless Economy?

The shift towards digital payments is intended to change how individuals, businesses and government institutions transfer money.

A greater use of electronic transactions can provide several potential benefits.

Better Transaction Records

Digital payments create electronic records that can help individuals and businesses track their financial activity.

For government institutions, digital records can also support financial monitoring and administrative oversight.

Greater Payment Convenience

Customers can make many transactions through banking applications and supported digital payment services without visiting physical payment counters.

QR codes can make payments particularly convenient for smaller retailers and service providers.

Reduced Dependence on Cash

Businesses and consumers may have fewer reasons to handle physical currency when digital payment options are widely accepted.

This can make certain transactions easier to complete and record.

Wider Financial Inclusion

Digital payment services can provide access to financial transactions for people who may not regularly visit bank branches.

However, financial inclusion requires more than making payment applications available. People must also be able to use them safely and confidently.

Improved Government Payment Processes

Electronic government payments can reduce paperwork and help departments maintain clearer transaction records.

The potential benefits will depend on reliable systems, proper implementation and effective oversight.

Challenges Pakistan Must Address Before Achieving 100% Digital Payments

Although the government’s target is ambitious, moving an entire country towards digital payments requires more than introducing QR codes and electronic transfers.

Several challenges will need to be addressed.

Internet connectivity: People in areas with weak mobile signals or limited broadband access may struggle to use online payment services.

Digital literacy: Some consumers may not know how to use banking applications, scan QR codes or manage digital wallets.

Payment reliability: Failed transactions, delayed transfers and application problems can reduce public confidence.

Merchant adoption: Small retailers and businesses must be willing and able to accept digital payments.

Security and fraud prevention: Users need protection against phishing, fraudulent payment requests, fake QR codes and unauthorised account access.

Access to technology: People without suitable smartphones or reliable devices may face difficulties using certain payment services.

Offline payment access: A workable solution is needed for areas where continuous internet access is unavailable.

Addressing these challenges will be essential if digital payments are to become a practical option for the wider population rather than remaining concentrated among urban consumers and technology users.

Pakistan’s Previous Progress in Digital Payments

The November announcement builds on earlier government efforts to expand digital transactions.

In July 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reported progress in the government’s cashless economy initiative.

According to the official briefing published at the time:

• The number of merchants using QR-code-based digital payments had increased by 300% over the preceding year, reaching approximately 2.003 million.
• Mobile banking application users had increased from 95 million to 137 million.
• A total of 11.9 billion digital transactions were recorded between July 2025 and June 2026.
• Approximately 99% of NADRA’s payments had been digitised.
• Digital channels accounted for 92% of overseas remittances received during the reported period.

These figures indicate that digital payment infrastructure and usage have expanded in Pakistan.

However, they also show why the government is focusing on further adoption. Increasing the number of digital users and merchants does not automatically mean that every transaction across the country can already be completed electronically.

The new roadmap is intended to establish more specific targets and accelerate the transition.

What Does the Announcement Mean for Ordinary Pakistanis?

For ordinary consumers, the immediate changes are likely to involve greater promotion of QR-code payments and increased availability of digital payment options.

Electricity and gas consumers will be encouraged to use QR codes printed on their bills.

People receiving government payments through Asaan Assignment Accounts should also be aware of the transition from cheque-based payments to Raast beginning November 16, 2026.

Meanwhile, BISP beneficiaries are already receiving programme payments through digital wallets, according to the government briefing.

For shopkeepers and other merchants, the continued expansion of Raast QR-code payments could create additional opportunities to accept electronic transactions.

Nevertheless, the announcement does not mean that Pakistan has already eliminated cash payments or that every citizen must immediately stop using physical currency.

The 100% digital payment system is a government target for which authorities have been asked to prepare a roadmap with timelines and measurable objectives.

Final Word

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s latest directive marks another step in Pakistan’s efforts to establish a nationwide digital payment system.

The government is seeking a clear roadmap for 100% digital payments, while also directing authorities to expand Raast QR-code usage, improve internet connectivity and resolve problems faced by digital payment users.

The most immediate development is the planned replacement of cheque-based Asaan Assignment Account payments with Raast transfers from November 16, 2026. Most federal and provincial government institutions are also expected to digitise their payments by December 2026.

Although the transition could improve convenience, payment records and financial accessibility, its success will depend on reliable infrastructure, public awareness, merchant participation and protection against digital fraud.

For Pakistan, the challenge is not simply to introduce digital payment technology, but to make it accessible, dependable and practical for people across the country.