Islamabad cashless city is no longer a slogan.
The Capital Development Authority has approved a move to digital payments across all departments, aiming to phase out cash for services ranging from property tax to parking fees.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa, who chaired Thursday’s meeting, said the change will “make Islamabad a truly digital capital; smart, efficient, and citizen focused.”
Islamabad cashless city: quicker service, less red tape
In the first phase, high traffic services such as water bills, land transfers, and public parking will accept QR code scans and mobile app payments.
A pilot will launch in select zones; once glitches are ironed out, the system will roll out citywide.
CDA is partnering with leading banks to build a secure payment gateway and train staff before public launch.
Officials say the shift will curb long queues, cut cash handling, and limit opportunities for graft.
“Imagine paying your water bill from home in two taps; that’s the future we’re building,” a senior CDA officer noted after the meeting.
Digital receipts will post automatically to the authority’s records, giving citizens an instant audit trail.
The initiative dovetails with Pakistan’s national push for digital financial inclusion.
Analysts believe the model could serve as a template for other cities if Islamabad’s rollout goes smoothly.
For residents, the first visible change will be new QR signs at tax counters and parking lots; early proof that the Islamabad cashless city agenda is moving from plan to pavement.
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