Tech Desk 
Nov 30, 2025
Pakistan is moving closer to a cashless economy as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) prepare to introduce a QR-based payment system for chamber members.
The system will allow businesses to pay LCCI fees by simply scanning a QR code, making payments faster, simpler, and more efficient.
The initiative was announced on Saturday following a meeting between SBP Chief Manager Tariq Riaz and LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol.
Improvement in payment flows and promotion of digital financial tools to the business community of Pakistan featured prominently during the meeting.
According to officials, the new QR system will lessen paperwork and save time as well as encourage more businesses to adopt digital transactions.
The exporters, during deliberations, mentioned delays in the approval of export refinance by SBP, slow verification of documents, and tight financing conditions.
Saigol highlighted that these will have implications for production schedules and increase the risk of cancellation of orders internationally.
He added, "Policy decisions must reflect ground realities so that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) can stay competitive in a tough global market." Saigol also pointed out high markup rates and strict loan conditions as challenges squeezing profit margins for the private sector.
Officials view QR-based payments as improving efficiency at LCCI, thus making chamber transactions more transparent.
