Islamabad opens first weekly ‘cashless’ market to push digital payments, curb tax evasion
ISLAMABAD: A weekly “cashless” market has been opened for the first time in Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad to promote digital payments, curb tax evasion and encourage small businesses to adopt cashless transactions, the market’s manager said.
Pakistan, which has a largely cash-based economy, has stepped up efforts in recent months to promote digital transactions, enhance accountability, reduce corruption and curb tax evasion.
The government activated digital wallets for welfare payments this month, while the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) in October introduced a cashless model at airports as part of the digitization push.
Raja Asad, the Islamabad weekly market manager, said it was opened in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Pakistan Vision, which is aimed at transforming the country into a digitally empowered society.
