Business Desk 
Sep 13, 2025
In what seems to be a push towards cashless Pakistan, the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) has decided to implement a cashless payment system in major marts across the federal capital.
Islamabad marts required to adopt cashless payments
Given that, digital payment methods' adoption has been said to be a condition for reopening marts that were closed due to violations.
The initiative was conveyed during a review meeting led by IFA Director Irfan Memon, attended by various officials, all of whom agreed that no mart sealed for violations would reopen without cashless payment facilities in place.
The meeting also assessed the food authority's performance over the past month, as IFA Deputy Director Operations Tahira Siddiq reported that 1,025 restaurants and food outlets were inspected, resulting in fines of over Rs1.3 million for 81 establishments due to poor food quality, ProPakistani reported.
The inspection also led to the sealing of 83 outlets that were found producing unsafe food.
It was also learned that the IFA responded to 30 public complaints regarding food safety and hygiene, and issued 359 new licenses to restaurants and shops during this period.
IFA officials emphasised that the licensing process would be sped up to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
