Pakistan Orders QR Codes on All Government Bills to Boost Digital Payments
By Tanveer Ahmed :
The federal government has ordered the placement of QR codes on all government-issued bills across the country in a major push to promote digital payments and reduce reliance on cash transactions.
The directive was issued on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a high-level review meeting in Islamabad focused on accelerating digital transactions and expanding financial inclusion.
Under the new policy, all federal and provincial public institutions have been directed to print QR codes on their bills within a specified timeframe. The system will allow citizens to make payments digitally through mobile banking applications and other electronic platforms.
Officials say the move is aimed at simplifying payment procedures and speeding up Pakistan’s transition towards a cashless economy.
The initiative is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen financial digitisation and expand the formal banking network across the country.
During the meeting, the prime minister commended the economic team and the State Bank of Pakistan for expanding digital transactions through the Raast instant payment platform. The system has already been used by several government departments to disburse salaries, pensions and vendor payments.
Officials informed the meeting that between July 2025 and January 2026, federal and provincial governments carried out direct digital payments worth Rs1.6 trillion, reflecting a sharp increase in the use of electronic payment channels.
The prime minister also acknowledged the role of the Ministry of Finance Pakistan in supporting the expansion of digital payment infrastructure, describing the QR code initiative as a key step towards enhancing transparency, efficiency and financial inclusion in Pakistan’s public sector.
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