PM Shehbaz Orders Nationwide Rollout of Raast Digital Payment System

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate the implementation of the Raast digital payment system across all districts of Pakistan, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building a cashless and transparent digital economy.

PM Stresses Shift Towards a Cashless Economy

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far in transitioning the country towards digital financial systems. He emphasized that digitization of the economy is a top priority for his government and highlighted the need to replace outdated cash-based transactions with secure, technology-driven solutions.

The Prime Minister instructed Chief Secretaries of all provinces to work closely with the federal government to ensure smooth adoption of Raast at the district level. He underlined that strong collaboration between federal and provincial authorities is essential for the success of this nationwide initiative.

Digital IDs and Integrated Payment Systems

During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on new developments under Pakistan’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The system will introduce digital IDs, integrating key information such as national identity cards, biometric verification, and mobile numbers. This integration will allow citizens to make seamless and secure digital payments anywhere in the country.

It was further highlighted that provincial governments have made significant progress in linking Public-to-Government (P2G) and Government-to-Public (G2P) transactions with the Raast platform. This linkage will improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in financial dealings.

Support for Digital Infrastructure Expansion

The meeting also reviewed steps being taken to expand Pakistan’s digital backbone. The Federal Development Authority has already approved the right of way for laying fiber-optic connectivity, while talks are underway with Pakistan Railways and the National Highway Authority to further extend digital infrastructure across the country.

Key Officials in Attendance

The session was attended by senior cabinet members and officials, including:

• Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

• Economic Affairs Minister Ahsan Iqbal

• Information Minister Attaullah Tarar

• IT & Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima

• Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik

• Advisor to the PM Dr. Tauqir Shah

• Minister of State for Finance & Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani

The Prime Minister concluded the meeting by reiterating that Raast’s expansion will not only modernize Pakistan’s payment systems but also serve as a cornerstone of economic digitization and financial inclusion.