The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has taken a landmark step toward digital transformation with the official launch of a Digital Cashless Payment System across major airports in Pakistan. This development represents a defining moment for the country’s aviation and financial ecosystem, providing travelers with a seamless and secure way to make payments using modern digital tools instead of traditional cash transactions.
The newly launched system enables passengers to pay airport fees, parking charges, and other related services through QR codes and the Raast instant payment network, developed by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This shift towards cashless operations not only enhances convenience but also improves transparency, operational efficiency, and digital traceability at airports nationwide.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Director General (Commercial & Administration) of PAA, aims to completely digitize airport-related transactions and gradually eliminate manual cash handling. The project is a critical component of Pakistan’s broader digitalization efforts under the government’s Digital Pakistan Initiative, designed to strengthen the integration between financial systems and public infrastructure.
Under the new payment framework, travelers can make instant payments by scanning a QR code displayed at PAA payment counters using any mobile banking or internet banking application. The process is powered by Raast — Pakistan’s national real-time payment system — which enables instant, secure, and low-cost transfers across banks and digital wallets. Once the passenger enters the payable amount and confirms the transaction, payment is completed within seconds, followed by an electronic receipt generated automatically on the user’s mobile device.
The introduction of this system is expected to significantly enhance passenger experience, reduce processing time, and improve revenue collection efficiency for airport authorities. Travelers no longer need to rely on cash for airport-related services such as parking, luggage handling, or access fees. The move aligns with the global aviation industry’s transition toward digital-first payment systems, positioning Pakistan’s airports alongside international standards for operational modernization.
The integration with Raast, a flagship project by the State Bank of Pakistan, ensures that all payments made through the new system are secure, traceable, and fully verifiable. Raast’s infrastructure supports instant settlement between financial institutions and government bodies, promoting a transparent and accountable transaction environment. This collaboration between PAA and SBP is seen as a model of digital innovation within Pakistan’s public sector.
Financial analysts and digital transformation experts have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a catalyst for boosting adoption of electronic payments in Pakistan. They note that airport environments serve as high-traffic zones where the visibility of digital systems can accelerate user familiarity and confidence in cashless transactions.
By introducing cashless payment systems at airports, the Pakistan Airports Authority is not only modernizing the aviation experience but also contributing to the national vision of a digitally empowered economy. As the initiative expands to more airports, it is expected to encourage other sectors to follow suit, creating a more connected and efficient financial landscape across the country.
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