Islamabad, March 3, 2026 – During a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, officials reported that the number of individuals benefiting from digital banking in Pakistan has surpassed 127 million.
The prime minister commended the economic team and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for successfully shifting salaries, pensions, and vendor payments under the ‘Raast’ digital payment system, promoting a cashless economy across the country.
Raast Digital Payments Achievements
• Between July 2025 and January 2026, federal and provincial governments processed Rs 1.6 trillion in payments through Raast.
• The Ministry of Finance and SBP were praised for timely implementation and effective management.
• The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has provided financial assistance to 71% of eligible beneficiaries under the PM’s Ramazan Relief Package, compared to 24% last year by the 12th day of Ramazan.
Key Directives by the Prime Minister
• All government institutions must provide QR codes on all bills to facilitate digital payments.
• Targets for the digital payments system should be achieved within the stipulated timeframe.
• Agencies including BISP, Ministry of IT, Ministry of Finance, and SBP briefed the PM on measures taken and the digital payments dashboard.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries, and other senior officials, according to the PM Office Media Wing.
The prime minister emphasized that expanding digital banking and cashless payments is critical to economic transparency, efficiency, and citizen convenience.