ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced that financial assistance under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will be disbursed through digital wallets starting from Ramazan, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s transition toward a cashless economy.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on the digitalisation of payment systems, the prime minister described the move as the beginning of a “new chapter” in the country’s economic transformation.
He emphasised that adopting digital financial systems would help ensure sustainable economic growth, enhance governance, and reduce corruption by promoting transparency and efficiency.
According to an official statement, the operationalisation of 10 million digital wallets under BISP will be completed by the end of this month. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate digital transformation across financial and public sectors.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan must keep pace with the world’s rapid shift toward digital economies. “Digital payments will enhance transparency and efficiency while reducing corruption,” he noted, adding that the government’s early focus on digital transformation is now producing tangible results.
The meeting was informed that Raast QR codes are now being used to facilitate payments for electricity and gas bills, enabling billions of rupees in digital transactions.
Furthermore, the Islamabad government services mobile application has been integrated with Raast, while the issuance of new business licences has been linked to digital payment systems. QR codes have also been introduced at retail outlets to encourage electronic transactions.
The prime minister was informed that 68 per cent of the population has achieved financial inclusion, and he directed officials to further expand this coverage and meet all economic targets within defined timelines.