NADRA Digitizes 99% of Payments at Service Centres Across Pakistan
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has digitized 99 percent of payments at its service centres across Pakistan as part of the government’s efforts to promote cashless transactions.
The progress was reviewed during a meeting held at the Finance Division on October 13, 2026, chaired by Minister of State for Railways and Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani. Officials discussed the current status of digital payments and targets for the next phase of the Cashless Pakistan initiative.
According to the meeting’s briefing, the number of merchants accepting digital payments increased fourfold during the last fiscal year. Passport centres have also been equipped to accept digital payments.
Around 75 percent of payments across federal government entities operating under centralized and self-accounting systems are now being accepted digitally.
Participants reviewed three key indicators for measuring progress: the number of active and unique digital payment users, the annual volume of digital transactions, and the number of merchants accepting digital payments.
The committee also decided to review the definitions of active app users, active merchants and unique digital payment users to improve data accuracy and prevent double counting.
Kayani called on private sector representatives to prepare recommendations on tax policy changes that could help expand the use of digital payments. He said the initiative aims to make transactions more convenient, improve transparency and bring more economic activity into the documented economy.
The minister emphasized the importance of reliable data to assess progress and guide future decisions.
The government plans to continue working with regulators, banks, fintech companies and other stakeholders to expand digital payment services and promote financial inclusion.
Representatives from the Finance Division, State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, NADRA and Pakistan Digital Authority attended the meeting. Private sector participants included the Pakistan Banking Association, Easypaisa, JazzCash, Bank Alfalah, JS Bank and Karandaaz Pakistan.
