Tech Desk 
Nov 01, 2025
An image of person paying using their cell phone with instant electronic payment mode at store on April 1, 2024. — Reuters
Pakistan on Friday decided to advance its digital finance agenda with new payment reforms, as the Ministry of Finance works on a legal package that will require all businesses to offer digital payment options, including Raast QR codes.
As per government officials, the authorities intend to change the Payment Systems and Electronic Fund Transfers Act, 2007, which would give local and provincial governments the power to enforce digital payment acceptance at all retail and service establishments.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) have already updated their bylaws to require that all shops and businesses operating within their jurisdiction accept digital payments.
The Raast QR payment system launched by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has had initial success. Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) have begun printing Raast QR codes on their bills.
While nearly 21,400 gas consumers and 27,900 electricity consumers have paid through Raast, they have done so for transaction amounts greater than Rs180 million.
The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has also begun offering Raast QR payments at its 949 centres across the country and through its Pak-ID app with approximately 10.7 million total users; the percentage of cashless payments at Nadra has increased from 66% to 76% post-launch.
