Islamabad Set to Become Pakistan’s First Fully Cashless City
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Capital Development Authority (CDA) is gearing up to make Islamabad a fully cashless city — starting with how you pay for everyday services like taxes, bills, and parking.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, on Thursday where the authority rolled out plans to introduce digital payments across all departments.
From property taxes to water bills, land transfers, and even parking fees, citizens will soon be able to make payments with just a scan of a QR code or a few taps on a mobile app.
“This shift to a cashless system will not only enhance transparency but also improve the speed and efficiency of public service delivery,” said Chairman Randhawa. “Our goal is to make Islamabad a truly digital capital — smart, efficient, and citizen-focused.”
The CDA is also partnering with leading banks to build a secure and easy-to-use online payment ecosystem.
The entire effort is part of a broader strategy to eliminate cash handling, reduce wait times, and make civic services more convenient and transparent.
“Imagine not having to stand in long lines or carry cash to pay your water bill. That’s the future we’re building,” said a senior CDA official after the meeting.
The first phase of the project will focus on high-traffic areas and services most frequently used by the public. Once proven effective, the cashless model will be expanded citywide.
Experts say the move is in line with Pakistan’s growing push for digital financial inclusion and could significantly reduce red tape and the risk of corruption in government transactions.
Reference Link:- https://propakistani.pk/2025/07/31/islamabad-set-to-become-pakistans-first-fully-cashless-city/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
