ISAMABAD – The federal government has set December 31 as the deadline to transform Islamabad into Pakistan’s first fully cashless city, as authorities accelerate efforts to expand digital payments across the capital.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry announced the timeline during a meeting on the Cashless Islamabad initiative. The meeting was attended by Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf, banking sector representatives and other senior officials.
Chaudhry said the Islamabad Capital Territory administration and the CDA would stop accepting cash payments at all their departments after November 30.
Government sets deadline for digital payments
The government aims to bring all merchants operating in Islamabad into the digital payment network by December 31.
According to Chaudhry, approximately 26,000 merchants have already joined the system.
The initiative will cover businesses of all sizes, ranging from street vendors to major commercial establishments. Authorities plan to expand access to digital payment facilities across the capital.
Officials expect the transition to improve financial transparency, strengthen tax monitoring and make transactions more efficient.
Islamabad aims to become world’s first cashless capital
Chaudhry said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had given the prime minister an assurance that Islamabad would become Pakistan’s first cashless city and the world’s first cashless capital.
The government has made the initiative a priority as part of its broader efforts to promote digital financial services.
Meanwhile, representatives from the banking sector welcomed the plan and assured the government of their full cooperation.
Chaudhry stressed that coordination between government departments, financial institutions and other stakeholders would be essential to implementing the initiative successfully.
