Pakistan has taken another step towards promoting a cashless economy and advancing its Digital Pakistan agenda with the launch of the country’s first cashless market in Islamabad, where shoppers can make purchases entirely through digital payment systems.
At the capital’s weekly Sunday Bazaar, customers are no longer required to carry cash. Instead, payments are being made by scanning QR codes, allowing transactions to be completed within seconds. Officials say the move aims to make shopping faster, safer and more convenient for both buyers and sellers.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to encourage digital payments, reduce reliance on cash and expand financial inclusion. Digital wallet services, including JazzCash, are facilitating QR-based payments at the market, enabling citizens to purchase daily-use items without physical currency.
Shoppers welcomed the shift, saying digital payments had simplified the buying process and helped save time. Many described mobile wallet services as secure and reliable, adding that cashless transactions reduced the risk of theft and the inconvenience of handling change.
Vendors at the market also reported positive outcomes, saying digital payments had helped eliminate the problem of counterfeit currency while bringing greater transparency to daily transactions. Several traders said the simplified payment process had made it easier to manage sales and record keeping.
JazzCash Head of Communications, Khayam Siddiqui said the company was working to make everyday transactions easier through technology. He said the promotion of digital payments aligned with the government’s Digital Pakistan vision, which seeks to modernise the economy by expanding access to digital financial services.
Policymakers see cashless markets as an important step in accelerating the adoption of digital payments at the grassroots level, particularly among small traders and informal businesses. Officials believe such initiatives can help broaden the tax base, improve transparency and strengthen the digital economy.
Experts say expanding cashless payment systems is critical for Pakistan as it seeks to increase financial inclusion and reduce inefficiencies linked to cash-based transactions. They add that sustained awareness campaigns, reliable connectivity and user-friendly platforms will be key to scaling such initiatives nationwide.
The Islamabad cashless market is expected to serve as a pilot project, with authorities assessing its performance before considering similar models in other cities as part of the country’s wider digitalisation drive.
