ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) payment system will transition to a digital platform starting this Ramazan.
During a meeting focused on the progress of BISP payment digitalization, PM Shehbaz highlighted that this initiative would promote sustainable economic growth, enhance governance, and curb corruption.
An official update revealed that 10 million digital wallets under BISP are expected to be operational by the end of the month. This development aims to provide easier access to secure and transparent financial support, particularly benefiting millions of women.
The prime minister was also briefed about enabling electricity and gas bill payments through Raast QR codes, facilitating digital transactions worth billions of rupees. Additionally, the government’s mobile application in Islamabad has integrated the Raast payment system, while new business licenses are now being tied to digital payment methods. QR codes have been introduced at retail outlets nationwide to further promote electronic transactions.
Officials shared updates on the progress of licensing digital banks, a key initiative aimed at enhancing financial inclusion across the country.
PM Shehbaz commended the efforts of the Finance Ministry, Ministry of IT, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), State Bank of Pakistan, and other relevant entities for their significant contributions. He urged them to meet their targets within designated timelines, emphasizing the importance of reaching more people through financial inclusion efforts.
He noted that 68 percent of Pakistan’s population is now financially included, while calling for further expansion to cover a larger segment. The meeting was attended by senior ministers, the State Bank governor, and heads of key financial and regulatory institutions.
