Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a cashless economy and accelerating the digitalisation of financial transactions across Pakistan. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Sunday, the prime minister said the shift towards a digital-first economy is a national priority, with special focus on expanding Raast, Pakistan’s instant digital payment system, to the district level.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif directed all provincial chief secretaries to extend full cooperation with the federal government in implementing Raast nationwide. He noted that bringing digital financial services to every district will not only make transactions more transparent but also reduce the reliance on cash-based systems that continue to dominate Pakistan’s economy.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved so far, acknowledging that both federal and provincial stakeholders are working together to roll out digital solutions. He underscored that building a robust digital payments ecosystem is essential to enhance financial inclusion, improve governance, and support economic growth.
Officials briefed the meeting on steps being taken to strengthen the country’s digital public infrastructure. Plans include the development of digital IDs for every citizen by integrating national identity cards, biometrics, and mobile numbers. This initiative aims to provide every Pakistani with a secure and unique digital identity, which will serve as a foundation for safe, efficient, and interoperable payments.
The meeting also highlighted progress made by provincial governments in linking government-to-public and public-to-government payments with Raast. This development is seen as a major step towards digitising services such as tax payments, utility bills, welfare disbursements, and other citizen-facing transactions. Officials stated that using Raast for such services will enhance efficiency while ensuring that payments are traceable and less prone to leakages.
In addition to payments, significant work is being done on expanding the country’s digital infrastructure backbone. The federal government has already approved right of way for fibre-optic connectivity projects, which will be crucial for delivering seamless digital services to underserved regions. Discussions are also in progress with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority to leverage their infrastructure corridors for further expanding fibre connectivity across provinces.
Analysts believe that if successfully implemented, this push for digitalisation could transform the economic landscape of Pakistan. The Raast system, which is already facilitating instant payments for individuals and businesses, can play a central role in scaling financial access. By connecting millions of people to digital financial services, the system is expected to reduce transaction costs, increase transparency, and unlock new opportunities for small businesses and startups.
Observers also point out that integrating digital IDs with Raast could pave the way for more advanced fintech solutions in the future, such as credit scoring, microfinance, and secure digital lending. For a country where large segments of the population remain outside the formal banking system, these initiatives hold the potential to significantly expand financial inclusion.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that achieving a cashless economy will not only support efficiency but also strengthen the fight against tax evasion and informal economic activity. He said the government’s ongoing digitalisation drive is intended to create a transparent and resilient financial ecosystem that benefits citizens, businesses, and institutions alike.