ISLAMABAD – July 28, 2025: In a major step to accelerate digital payments across the country, the federal government has directed that all electricity, gas, and telephone bills must carry printed QR codes, enabling seamless digital transactions.
The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a national daily report.
To expand the digital infrastructure further, the Secretary Petroleum and Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) have been tasked with developing a comprehensive plan within a month to mandate QR code, Point-of-Sale (PoS), and soft PoS payment options at all fuel stations across Pakistan.
Additionally, the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been instructed to review existing laws and propose amendments to mandate digital payment acceptance across all utility and service providers within the federal jurisdiction.
As part of broader reforms, the government also approved revised digital payment targets for the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). To support this transition, the Ministry of Finance and SBP will increase the digital payment subsidy ceiling to Rs. 3.5 billion. Banks will be allowed to charge a maximum Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) of 0.25%, with any additional costs absorbed by the service providers.
The Government Payments Sub-Committee will revise the implementation timelines for these measures in consultation with provincial authorities, ensuring a coordinated national rollout.
This move aligns with Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance financial inclusion, reduce cash dependency, and modernize its payment ecosystem.
