Latest news with #MerchantOnboardingFramework
Business Recorder
29-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM asks provinces, AJK & GB to partner for cashless economy
ISLAMABAD: In a clear message to the provinces, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed all provincial governments, including those of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), to fully cooperate with the federal government in advancing the ambitious plan for the digitisation of the economy and the promotion of a cashless economy. The prime minister, while chairing a weekly review meeting on the transition to a cashless and digital economy, warned that the transformation plan must not be treated as an optional exercise. He underscored that digitisation was not merely a matter of convenience – it was a matter of national transparency, economic efficiency, and global competitiveness. Govt pushes for cashless economy 'The aim is to make citizens' lives easier, not costlier,' the prime minister said, as he emphasised that the masses must not bear any financial burden during the transition. But behind the soft phrasing was a firm directive: federal plans must move forward swiftly, and all governments – central or provincial – must fall in step. Signalling impatience with bureaucratic foot-dragging, Sharif called for 'meaningful consultation' with stakeholders to be institutionalised – not delayed under the guise of process. He said that clear timelines must be met and insisted that collaboration across federal and provincial lines was non-negotiable. Officials briefing the prime minister said that the groundwork for the digital economy architecture was nearly complete. The National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority have been established, and rules of operation have been finalised. Appointments to the authority are said to be in their final stages. In what appears to be a signal that the plan is entering an operational phase, the Merchant Onboarding Framework – a critical step for enabling digital payments – was formally launched on July 25. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister AhsanIqbal, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, and State Minister for Finance Bilal Kayani, as well as chief secretaries from all provinces and territories, and senior government officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM urges united front on digital transformation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the federal government to hold meaningful consultations with provincial governments for effective and comprehensive implementation of the Digital Transformation Plan. Chairing a weekly review meeting on Cashless and Digital Economy in the federal capital, the prime minister said digitalisation of the economy will help promote transparency. The core objective of the federal government's Digital Transformation Plan is to provide ease and convenience to the public without any additional cost, he said, adding that the government was encouraging digital payments and digital transfer of funds through policy measures. All provincial governments, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, should fully cooperate with the federal government regarding the digitalisation of the economy and cashless economy, the prime minister stressed. He added that with the cooperation of provincial governments and institutions, the federal government's Digital Transformation Plan should be further streamlined to ensure targets are achieved within the set timelines. Meaningful consultation with all stakeholders should be made a permanent feature of this plan, the prime minister added. During the meeting, the prime minister was told that the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority had been established, and the necessary rules have been formulated. The appointment process of the chairperson and members of the Pakistan Digital Authority is in its final stages. Furthermore, it was informed that the Merchant Onboarding Framework for digital services was launched on July 25, 2025. The meeting was attended by ministers for finance, economic affairs and IT among others.
Business Recorder
28-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz underscores digital economy push to enhance transparency, ease public access
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that digitisation of the economy will help improve transparency and ensure public convenience without adding financial burden on citizens. Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on the government's digital transformation and cashless economy agenda, the premier said the core objective of the digital transition plan is to offer efficient services to the public free of additional cost. 'The federal government is encouraging digital payments and electronic fund transfers through focused policy measures,' Sharif noted. PM Shehbaz approves formation of digital ecosystem in FBR He directed authorities to hold meaningful consultations with provincial governments to ensure effective and inclusive implementation of the digital transformation roadmap. The prime minister also instructed provincial administrations, including those of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to fully cooperate with the federal government in advancing the digital and cashless economy agenda. With provincial support, he said, the government's digital initiatives could be accelerated to achieve key targets within the stipulated timelines. Sharif further called for institutionalising stakeholder engagement as a regular feature of the transformation process. PM Shehbaz lauds FBR reforms as tax filers jump to 7.2mn The briefing during the meeting highlighted that the National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority had been established, and necessary regulatory frameworks finalised. The process of appointing the chairperson and members of the authority is in its final stages. Officials also informed the meeting that the Merchant Onboarding Framework, a key component of the digital payments infrastructure, was formally launched on July 25, 2025. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, the chief secretaries of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK, as well as senior federal officials.
