Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating Pakistan’s transition to a cashless economy. Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, he directed provincial chief secretaries to support the federal government in expanding the Raast digital payment system to the district level.

The meeting was briefed that Pakistan will build digital public infrastructure, including digital IDs for every citizen, by integrating national identity cards, biometrics, and mobile numbers. These IDs will enable secure and efficient transactions across the economy.

Officials reported that provinces have made progress in linking government-to-public and public-to-government payments with the Raast system. The federal government has also approved right of way for fibre connectivity, while discussions continue with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority to expand digital infrastructure nationwide.

As global financial platforms increasingly restrict access to Pakistani users due to geopolitical tensions, local tech experts are calling for the urgent development of alternative payment systems. Freelancers, digital creators, and startups have expressed frustration over the loss of business opportunities, especially due to disruptions in PayPal, Stripe, and similar services. Experts emphasised that reliance on foreign financial platforms puts Pakistan’s digital economy at risk and advocated for homegrown solutions backed by robust fintech infrastructure. The call comes amid tightening cross-border scrutiny following cyberattacks and media crackdowns.