The Minister of State for Finance and Revenue in Pakistan, Bilal Azhar Kayani ha said that Pakistan is making gradual progress towards a cashless economy as more people adopt digital payment methods.

While speaking to a local media outlet, the Minister of State said that under the government’s broader digital economy agenda, Pakistan’s financial system is undergoing gradual transformation, reinforced by strong momentum in cashless transactions across markets through continued government–private sector collaboration.

He said the use of digital payment channels, including mobile wallets, online bank transfers, and card payments, had increased in Pakistan as consumers increasingly opted for cashless transactions in their daily lives.

Bilal Azhar Kiyani also said businesses, including retailers and wholesalers, were expanding the use of digital payment systems, which he said would improve efficiency, increase transparency and support the formalization of the economy of Pakistan.

The Minister said the government of Pakistan is further strengthening Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem by expanding payment infrastructure and enhancing system capabilities to support secure and seamless transactions nationwide.

He added that these initiatives form part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at modernizing the financial framework and ensuring reliable, efficient, and transparent economic operations.

The Minister of State also acknowledged the rising public inclination toward cashless payments in shopping and routine market activities, emphasizing that this growing trend demonstrates increasing trust in digital platforms.

He concluded that this sustained shift in consumer behavior is accelerating Pakistan’s transition toward a fully modernized, cashless digital economy.

Rawalpindi   –   Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retd) Nadeem Nasir and City Police Officer (CPO) DIG Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera formally assumed charge this week following a reshuffle of the district’s civil administration and police leadership.

On his first day in office, Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Nasir chaired an introductory meeting with senior administrative officers to review the district’s ongoing affairs, assess governance priorities and outline his administrative agenda.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Deputy Commissioners (Revenue, General and Headquarters), assistant commissioners from all tehsils and heads of various government departments.

Addressing the participants, the deputy commissioner said improving public service delivery would remain the foremost priority of the district administration. He directed officers to observe office timings, maintain administrative discipline and ensure transparency and promptness in addressing public complaints.

He emphasised that efficient governance depended on professionalism, accountability and coordinated efforts among all departments, adding that citizens should receive timely relief and quality public services without unnecessary delays.

The deputy commissioner also called for closer inter-departmental coordination to accelerate development projects and effectively implement the Punjab government’s public welfare initiatives across the district.

During the meeting, officials briefed him on ongoing development schemes, revenue collection, administrative performance and key institutional challenges. He instructed the departments concerned to expedite welfare projects and improve service delivery at the grassroots level.

Meanwhile, CPO DIG Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera, who assumed office on Sunday, held his first meeting with senior police officers to outline his operational priorities and review the district’s policing strategy.

The meeting was attended by the Senior Superintendents of Police (Operations, Investigation and Safe City), the Chief Traffic Officer, divisional Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officers, Deputy Superintendents of Police (Traffic), Station House Officers and other senior officials.

The CPO stressed that protecting citizens and preventing crime would remain the police’s foremost responsibilities. He directed officers to discharge their duties with professionalism, integrity and commitment, warning that negligence or dereliction of duty would not be tolerated.

On Monday, DIG Sukhera also visited Police Lines Headquarters, where he reviewed operational preparedness and met officers and personnel.

A police contingent presented a guard of honour to the newly appointed CPO. According to a police spokesperson, he later visited the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Memorial), laid a floral wreath and offered prayers for police personnel who had laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The CPO also toured the Shuhada Gallery, which documents the history and sacrifices of Rawalpindi Police. He inspected the memorial displays, recorded his remarks in the visitors’ book and paid tribute to the courage, professionalism and dedication of the force’s fallen officers.ax