Islamabad sets 31 December deadline to make every merchant cashless

Islamabad's government departments will stop accepting cash from 30 November, with every merchant in the capital ordered onto digital payments by 31 December, under the Cashless Islamabad initiative.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry chaired a meeting on Friday to review progress, with the Capital Development Authority chairman, banking representatives and other officials attending. Chaudhry said implementation was moving ahead under the prime minister's and interior minister's directions, and stressed that consulting all stakeholders would help ensure the project's success. Banking representatives assured the government of their cooperation.

The push will reach street vendors and cart owners as well as large commercial centres, so businesses of every size can take digital payments. Chaudhry said 26,000 Islamabad merchants already use digital payment systems, and the plan is to widen that network across the city.

Chaudhry said the shift would improve financial transparency and tax monitoring and strengthen the payment system overall, with electronic records giving authorities a clearer view of commercial activity.

The two deadlines now frame the transition: 30 November for ICT and CDA departments, and 31 December for merchants across the capital.