Zindigi has entered into a landmark partnership with the Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) to digitize water bill management and collection across the region, marking a significant advancement in the modernization of public utility services. The agreement introduces a technology-driven payment framework built on Raast QR, enabling residents to make secure, real-time transactions through the Zindigi app as well as all Raast-enabled banking applications operating nationwide.
The initiative represents a structural shift in how public utility payments are processed and recorded in AJK. Traditionally reliant on manual systems and over-the-counter collections, water bill management in many regions has faced challenges related to delayed settlements, fragmented recordkeeping, and limited transparency. By integrating Raast QR into the billing infrastructure, the new system aims to digitize payment flows, automate reporting mechanisms, and create a unified digital trail for transactions.
Under the agreement, citizens across Azad Jammu & Kashmir will be able to scan a Raast QR code linked to their water bills and complete payments instantly using participating banking apps or the Zindigi platform. The use of Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment system, ensures that transactions are processed in real time, minimizing delays while enhancing accuracy and traceability. This digital layer reduces dependency on physical cash handling and manual reconciliation processes, which have historically contributed to inefficiencies.
From an administrative standpoint, the integration is expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency within public departments responsible for water resource management. Automated payment confirmations and centralized digital reporting will allow authorities to track collections more effectively, reduce leakages, and strengthen financial accountability. Streamlined reporting mechanisms are likely to support improved budgeting, forecasting, and service planning.
The collaboration also reflects a broader alignment between fintech innovation and public sector reform. By embedding digital financial services into essential utility management, the partnership supports governance models that emphasize transparency, accountability, and citizen convenience. For residents, the transition eliminates the need for physical visits to payment counters, enabling bill settlement through smartphones at any time.
Financial inclusion is another central dimension of the initiative. With Raast-enabled banking applications and mobile wallets becoming increasingly accessible, the system widens participation in formal digital financial channels. Residents who previously relied on cash transactions will now have exposure to secure, regulated digital payment platforms, reinforcing the government’s objective of integrating more citizens into the formal financial ecosystem.
Zindigi’s role in this partnership underscores the expanding footprint of digital banking platforms in public service delivery. As fintech institutions continue to collaborate with government entities, the boundaries between private-sector innovation and public-sector administration are becoming increasingly interconnected. The deployment of Raast QR in utility payments highlights how national payment infrastructure can be leveraged beyond commercial retail transactions to strengthen civic services.
For the Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the agreement signals a commitment to leveraging technology to modernize governance frameworks. Digitizing water bill management serves as a foundational step toward broader e-governance reforms that could eventually extend to other municipal services.
As Pakistan continues to accelerate digital adoption across sectors, partnerships such as this demonstrate how targeted financial technology integration can transform routine civic processes. By combining real-time payment capabilities with structured reporting systems, the initiative aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric utility management environment in AJK, setting a precedent for similar digitization efforts in other regions.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.