The federal government has decided to introduce QR codes on every government bill across the country as part of efforts to promote digital payments. All public institutions have been directed to implement the system within a set timeframe. The move is aimed at making payments easier for citizens and speeding up Pakistan’s shift towards a cashless economy.
The directive was issued on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a review meeting held in Islamabad on the promotion of digital transactions.
According to official sources, government departments at both federal and provincial levels will now be required to print QR codes on bills so citizens can make payments digitally instead of relying on cash. The initiative is part of a broader plan to strengthen financial digitization and bring more people into the formal banking system.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the economic team and the State Bank of Pakistan for expanding digital transactions through the Raast system. Raast has been used for disbursing salaries, pensions and vendor payments in various government departments.
Officials informed the meeting that from July 2025 to January 2026, direct digital payments worth Rs1.6 trillion were made by federal and provincial governments. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Finance in facilitating these transactions.
