In a major advancement for the Digital Pakistan initiative, the Ravi Urban Development Authority and easypaisa digital bank have entered into a strategic partnership to promote digital financial inclusion across 93 villages within RUDA’s jurisdiction. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding during a formal ceremony at RUDA’s Head Office in Lahore, establishing a collaborative framework aimed at bringing modern branchless banking services to rural residents and small business owners. This cooperation is designed to bridge the gap between traditional rural life and the evolving digital economy, ensuring that local communities are not left behind in the country’s technological transition.
The agreement was formalized by Shahzad Khan, Chief Business Officer of easypaisa digital bank, and Brig. (Retd.) Bakhtiar Akram, RUDA’s Executive Director of Land Acquisition, in the presence of senior leadership from both institutions. Through this landmark alliance, the parties are actively supporting the Prime Minister’s Cashless Pakistan Scheme with the ambitious goal of positioning Ravi City as a premier cashless model urban center. By integrating digital financial solutions into the foundational design of the city, the partnership seeks to embed electronic payment infrastructure across residential, commercial, and public sectors from the project’s inception.
A key focus of the initiative is the empowerment of grassroots communities. Shahzad Khan highlighted the massive reach of easypaisa, noting that approximately one in five Pakistanis now holds an account with the platform. As the nation’s first digital bank to commence commercial operations, easypaisa intends to leverage its 59 million registered users to drive meaningful change in these 93 villages. The project will encourage local shopkeepers to transition into digital hubs, making everyday transactions more transparent, secure, and accessible for the unbanked and underbanked populations in the region.
The leadership at RUDA emphasized that this collaboration represents a convergence of urban development and technological innovation. Brig. (Retd.) Bakhtiar Akram stated that the goal is to transform these rural settlements into model communities of economic modernity, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the national vision for a documented economy. Beyond financial transactions, the partnership holds potential for broader social impact, with officials indicating that future joint efforts could extend to improving girls’ education and providing clean drinking water to uplift these rural communities holistically.
Ultimately, this partnership serves as a benchmark for how modern governance and digital innovation can work in tandem to foster a financially inclusive economy. By creating an ecosystem where digital transactions are the norm rather than the exception, RUDA and easypaisa are setting the stage for enhanced economic efficiency and convenience. This initiative not only supports the State Bank of Pakistan’s vision for inclusive growth but also provides a blueprint for other development authorities to follow in the quest to build a more digitally empowered and financially secure Pakistan.
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