Islamabad expands cashless economy, QR code system to cover entire city

Initial phase introduced digital payments at weekly bazaars, second phase will cover all major commercial centres

Islamabad has completed the first phase of its transition toward becoming Pakistan’s first fully cashless, technology-enabled model city, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The initial phase successfully introduced digital payments at weekly bazaars, the CDA One-Window Facilitation Centre, and on metro and electric bus services.

The second phase has now begun, aiming to extend the Raast QR-code payment system across the entire capital. The expanded rollout will cover all major commercial centres, shopping malls, Class-III markets, hotels, guest houses, petrol pumps, restaurants, and other commercial establishments.

A high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa reviewed progress and directed officials to accelerate citywide implementation. Senior CDA administration and finance members, along with representatives from major commercial banks, attended the meeting.

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Officials briefed that QR-enabled payment systems are already being rapidly deployed in markaz-level markets, malls, and local commercial hubs as part of a broader effort to reduce cash dependency.

The chairman noted that Islamabad’s broader digital transformation includes the rollout of M-Tag integration and digital parking solutions, which will contribute to a seamless, secure, and fully digitised urban infrastructure.

He further directed commercial banks to provide comprehensive awareness and guidance to merchants and the general public to advance the transition towards a cashless economy, while also calling on traders and shopkeepers to encourage the public transition by offering discounts and customer incentives for QR-based payments.

These initiatives, he said, would accelerate Islamabad’s evolution into a cashless, transparent, and digitally inclusive city, setting a national benchmark for modern urban governance.