The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has announced plans to conduct an independent, third-party audit of Pakistan’s national cashless economy initiative. The move aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and the effective implementation of the government’s ambitious drive toward a fully digital economy. According to the official notice, MoITT has invited applications from qualified firms to evaluate the initiative’s design, governance mechanisms, and progress through an international competitive bidding process.
The government’s cashless economy initiative represents one of its largest efforts to modernize financial systems and reduce dependency on cash-based transactions. The program seeks to promote transparency in financial dealings, enhance public service delivery, reduce transaction leakages, and expand financial inclusion across all segments of society. A key component of this transformation is the development of a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which will integrate platforms such as RAAST for instant digital payments and a unified digital identity system to simplify access to government services. These initiatives are designed to create a seamless digital ecosystem that connects citizens, businesses, and public institutions under one framework.
According to the Request for Proposals (RFP), the consultancy firm selected for the audit will carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the initiative’s strategy, implementation progress, and operational efficiency. The review will determine whether the project’s objectives are being achieved and identify areas where improvements are required. The scope of work includes examining institutional structures, highlighting implementation challenges, and recommending governance and policy adjustments to strengthen the initiative’s effectiveness. The government’s broader plan also includes measures to boost digital payment adoption by enabling merchants nationwide to process payments via QR codes, lowering transaction fees, and reducing duties on payment equipment. Additionally, to expand broadband access, the initiative proposes reducing Right-of-Way charges to zero, a policy already implemented by agencies such as Pakistan Railways, National Highway Authority, and Capital Development Authority.
The audit process will be overseen by a high-level steering committee led by the Prime Minister, who is personally monitoring the project’s progress through regular review meetings. Three sub-committees, chaired respectively by the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, the Federal Minister for IT, and the Federal Secretary of the Finance Division, are responsible for ensuring smooth coordination across financial and digital sectors. The RFP specifies that the selected firm will deliver a series of reports including inception, assessment, interim recommendation, and final evaluation reports within specified timelines to ensure timely feedback and accountability. Proposals will be evaluated under a Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) system, with 80 percent weightage assigned to technical capability and 20 percent to financial bids. Firms must score at least 70 points in the technical evaluation to qualify for financial assessment.
The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will supervise the audit process, while the federal government will provide funding. The RFP emphasizes confidentiality, stating that all data and findings will remain government property. Firms participating in the bidding process are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest, with non-disclosure resulting in disqualification. This audit marks a significant step toward strengthening governance and ensuring that Pakistan’s digital transition progresses with transparency, efficiency, and measurable outcomes.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
