Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the federal government to hold meaningful consultations with provincial governments to ensure the effective implementation of the national Digital Transformation Plan. Chairing the weekly review meeting on the progress of the Cashless and Digital Economy initiative in Islamabad, he emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts across all regions to achieve transparency and efficiency in governance through digitalisation.
The prime minister stated that the primary objective of the Digital Transformation Plan is to provide public services with greater ease and convenience, without any additional financial burden on citizens. He reiterated that the federal government is committed to encouraging digital payments and promoting the digital transfer of funds through supportive policy interventions. This move is aimed at making financial systems more accessible while reducing dependence on manual and paper-based transactions.
Calling for the full cooperation of all provincial administrations, including those of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the prime minister underscored the need for alignment across the federation. He noted that streamlined collaboration between federal and provincial stakeholders is necessary to meet the plan’s goals within the set timelines. He also stressed that continuous consultation with all relevant parties should become an integral feature of the digitalisation framework to ensure adaptability and inclusiveness throughout the process.
During the briefing, it was confirmed that the National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority have already been established. These institutions are expected to play key roles in the strategic rollout and governance of the country’s digital transformation initiatives. The necessary legal frameworks and rules for these bodies have been completed, and the appointment process for the chairperson and members of the Pakistan Digital Authority is in its final stages.
In addition to institutional progress, the meeting also highlighted the recent launch of the Merchant Onboarding Framework for digital services, which went live on July 25, 2025. This framework aims to simplify and accelerate the process for merchants and service providers to join the digital economy, making it easier for small and medium enterprises to offer digital payment options to their customers. By expanding digital access at the grassroots level, the framework supports the government’s wider objective of establishing a cashless financial ecosystem.
The meeting was attended by key cabinet members, including ministers for finance, economic affairs, and information technology, all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to the prime minister’s vision of a digitally empowered Pakistan. Through collaborative action and institutional readiness, the government intends to lay the groundwork for a future where digital tools are embedded in public service delivery and economic interactions nationwide.
