Islamabad is getting ready to become the first city in Pakistan where all payments for city services will be made digitally. This plan comes from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which aims to stop all cash transactions for things like property taxes, utility bills, parking fees, and land transfers.
In a meeting held on July 31, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa shared a clear plan. It includes mobile app payments, QR code systems, and linking city systems with banks using ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) technology. The goal is to make government offices more transparent and efficient by removing cash dealings.
Smart Parking and QR Code Payments Start First
The first major change will be seen in parking systems in busy areas like Blue Area and Food Street. These areas will get smart parking setups using M-Tag entry, digital meters, and flexible pricing based on traffic. Cars without M-Tags won’t be allowed in, and drivers will pay and book parking through QR codes or mobile apps.
At the same time, all CDA services (like buying or selling property) will also move to digital platforms, cutting the need for physical paperwork and cash counters.
QR Code System for Shops and Government Offices
The CDA is launching QR code payment systems for shops, restaurants, and parking areas, starting from central locations. Inside the government, they are also digitizing office work using SAP-based ERP systems to handle salaries, budgets, and audits. This will help reduce errors and improve transparency.
Part of a Bigger National Plan
This move supports the federal government’s push for more digital payments. The Prime Minister recently ordered a major increase in digital transactions, especially in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan. Retailers in these areas must now offer digital payment options.
The aim is to encourage more people and businesses to switch to digital payments and make Islamabad a model for other cities.
What’s Coming Next?
The shift to a cashless system will happen in phases—starting in busy markets and spreading to the whole city. The CDA will run awareness campaigns, offer free Wi-Fi zones, and give special support to small businesses to help them adopt digital systems.
A cashless Islamabad will bring:
- Transparency – Less corruption through fewer cash transactions
- Efficiency – Shorter lines and faster service at government offices
- Digital Inclusion – More people using technology
- Urban Innovation – Making Islamabad a smarter, more modern city
If successful, Islamabad’s cashless journey could set an example for all other cities in Pakistan.