Islamabad has taken a significant step toward becoming Pakistan’s first fully cashless city, with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) confirming that over 5,000 shopkeepers and merchants have now registered for digital payments. The development marks an important milestone in the city’s transition to digital transactions, reducing reliance on cash while promoting secure and transparent payment systems.
The progress was shared during a meeting at CDA Headquarters chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa. Officials highlighted that QR code-enabled payments have already been successfully rolled out at weekly bazaars in Sectors H-9 and G-6. Building on this momentum, the registration of shopkeepers is now expanding to commercial hubs including Markazs, shopping malls, rural markets, and Class III markets across the capital.
The adoption of digital payments is not limited to traders alone. Public service points such as CDA’s One Window Facilitation Center, metro bus services, and electric feeder buses are also integrating cashless systems, further embedding digital transactions into everyday life in the capital. This push aims to create an ecosystem where both retail and public services are seamlessly connected through digital finance.
Randhawa underscored that the success of the initiative hinges on active participation from merchants. He emphasized that while the CDA and district administration are committed to facilitating the transition, traders must take ownership of the shift and guide customers on how to adapt. He also called upon banks and telecom operators to step up with incentives, technical support, and on-ground assistance to accelerate merchant adoption.
To fast-track digitalization efforts, the CDA has waived Right of Way (ROW) charges for laying fiber optic networks, ensuring stronger digital infrastructure and faster internet connectivity. A central dashboard has also been launched to monitor registration progress in real-time, with banks feeding data on the number of shopkeepers onboarding the system.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader digital finance agenda, which seeks to reduce the informal cash economy, enhance transparency, and expand financial inclusion. Experts say that scaling such efforts in urban centers like Islamabad can pave the way for replication in other cities, setting the foundation for a more digitized economy nationwide.
Overcoming behavioral barriers remains one of the key challenges, as both merchants and customers have long been accustomed to cash transactions. However, CDA officials believe that incentives, coupled with the convenience of faster and safer payments, will gradually drive adoption. Increased use of QR code-based transactions is expected to benefit small traders in particular, enabling them to expand their customer base and reduce cash-handling risks.
Randhawa concluded by reiterating that Islamabad’s transition to a cashless city is not merely a symbolic project but a practical step toward future-ready urban infrastructure. “The goal is to ensure fast, secure, and transparent transactions that benefit businesses, citizens, and the broader economy,” he noted.
With more than 5,000 shopkeepers already on board and infrastructure support underway, Islamabad’s cashless city drive has laid strong groundwork for transforming Pakistan’s financial landscape.
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