The federal government has made it mandatory for retail outlets across Pakistan, including Islamabad and all provinces, to offer QR code- based digital payments as part of its efforts to promote a cashless economy.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani said executive orders now require every retail outlet to provide at least one digital payment option for customers. He said the initiative is aimed at encouraging digital transactions and reducing reliance on cash.
The minister made these remarks while speaking at a policy discussion organized by the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR), where findings of a nationwide study titled “Track and Trace Compliance in the Tobacco Industry- Volume II” was presented.
Minister said federal and provincial governments are working on legislation to support the rollout of digital payment systems at the retail level. He added that the move is part of the government’s broader “Cashless Pakistan” program, which seeks to formalize the economy and improve transparency in transactions.
The IPOR study pointed to major gaps in compliance with the Federal Board of Revenue’s Track and Trace System (TTS) in the tobacco sector, particularly at the retail stage.
Commenting on the findings, the minister said the government remains committed to enforcing the track and trace mechanism and would step up action against illegal cigarette brands. He said monitoring of the tobacco retail market would be strengthened to improve compliance. He clarified that retailers selling legally compliant cigarette brands would not face action. However, he said non-compliant products would be brought under the regulatory framework through stricter enforcement.
He added that retail outlets fall under the jurisdiction of provincial governments, which are empowered to take action against sellers of illegal cigarettes. Warehouses and transportation channels within the tobacco supply chain are also being monitored, he said, adding that improved enforcement is expected to increase compliance and government revenue.