Maria Imran 
Islamabad cashless city
The Islamabad cashless city plan aims to make the capital Pakistan’s first fully cashless city by 31 December 2026. From 30 November 2026, no cash will be accepted in any department of the Islamabad Capital Territory administration or the Capital Development Authority.
Islamabad Cashless City Plan Sets a December Deadline
The initiative is led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry. It forms part of the wider Cashless Pakistan drive to improve financial transparency and tax monitoring.
Merchants, Transport and the Raast Backbone
The government aims to bring all commercial merchants, street vendors, restaurants, petrol pumps, guest houses and shopping centres onto digital payment systems by the same date. More than 39,000 vendors have already adopted digital tools, which gives the rollout a starting base.
The plan relies heavily on the Raast QR mobile payment system, which has also been linked to markets, public transport, including metro and electric buses, and utility bills. Using one national system should keep payments simple for shoppers and small traders.
Policy Tests for a Cashless Capital
The key test is inclusion. Older residents, daily wage workers and small vendors may need training, simple apps and reliable mobile connectivity to join the system, and dependable help desks would ease the shift.
Clear rules on fees, privacy and failed payments would build trust, while regular public reporting on merchant adoption would show whether the 31 December target is within reach. Wider digital momentum, such as that covered in Is Google Boosting Pakistan’s Digital Economy?, supports the effort, and success in Islamabad could give Pakistan a model for other cities.
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