Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD:The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has fast-tracked the expansion of QR-based payment systems across Islamabad, aiming to make digital transactions the primary mode of payment in all major commercial areas, hotels, guest houses and restaurants.The decision was reaffirmed during a meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa at the CDA Headquarters on Wednesday.Officials said QR code–enabled payments are rapidly being introduced in markazs, shopping malls and Class Three markets as part of a broader push to shift everyday transactions away from cash.
The system is simultaneously being rolled out at hotels, guest houses, petrol pumps, restaurants and other commercial establishments to ensure widespread adoption.Randhawa said the initiative was aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to develop Islamabad as Pakistan’s first model cashless city.He urged commercial banks to provide maximum support by educating merchants and offering incentives to boost Raast QR code usage.He noted that the cashless system is already functioning in Islamabad’s weekly bazaars, CDA’s One-Window Facilitation Centre and the metro and electric bus services.Additionally, digital parking and M-Tag integration projects are underway to enhance the city’s overall digital infrastructure.The chairman said these measures would help build a seamless, secure and fully digitised payment ecosystem in the Federal Capital.
