The Government of Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to building a cashless economy and expanding digital financial inclusion across the country, with a renewed focus on digital payments, formal financial adoption and greater transparency in economic activity. The government has indicated that its cashless economy drive remains a key part of efforts to modernise the country’s financial system and encourage wider use of formal digital channels.
Minister of State for Railways and Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani shared these views during a high level engagement with the leadership of JS Bank and Zindigi at the Finance Division. According to a press release, the meeting focused on strategies for expanding digital financial services and supporting the government’s broader vision of a digitally empowered economy. The discussions also covered the role of financial institutions and digital platforms in increasing the adoption of cashless solutions across different sectors of the economy.
Kayani said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally overseeing the government’s cashless economy drive. He noted that significant progress has been achieved during the past year, while reiterating the government’s intention to continue expanding digital payment adoption. According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at improving transparency, making financial transactions more convenient for citizens and businesses, and accelerating the formal documentation of economic activity through digital payments.
The government’s focus on digital transactions comes as financial institutions and fintech platforms continue to expand technology driven services for consumers and businesses. Wider adoption of digital payments can provide businesses with more formal transaction records while giving customers additional channels for making and receiving payments. The government has therefore continued to place digital financial services among its broader efforts to increase formal participation in the economy.
A delegation led by JS Bank President and CEO Basir Shamsie met the minister at the Finance Division as part of the engagement. The delegation included Zindigi-JS Bank Chief Officer Noman Azhar and Chief Business Officer Atif Ishaque. The representatives discussed measures that could support the expansion of digital financial services and contribute to the national objective of increasing digital adoption.
During the meeting, the JS Bank and Zindigi delegation also commended the government’s ongoing policy measures and initiatives designed to encourage cashless business models. The delegation highlighted the importance of policies that can support wider formal financial adoption across different segments of the economy and create an environment where digital payment solutions can become more widely used.
Both sides also highlighted the strategic importance of public private partnerships in advancing Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem. The government and financial sector representatives expressed their commitment to continued cooperation aimed at expanding digital financial services, strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting broader adoption of cashless solutions.
The engagement reflects the government’s continued emphasis on cooperation with banks and digital financial service providers as Pakistan works toward greater use of electronic payments. With financial institutions and technology led platforms playing an expanding role in the delivery of financial services, collaboration between the public and private sectors is expected to remain important for extending digital payment access and encouraging formal financial participation.
The government’s reaffirmed commitment also signals that the transition toward a cashless economy remains an ongoing policy priority. Through digital payments, stronger infrastructure and cooperation with financial institutions, authorities are seeking to increase convenience for users while improving transparency and documentation within economic activity.
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