Pakistan Plans 100% Digital Payments; EAA Shifts to Raast From 16 November
Digital payments in Pakistan: PM asks for a 100% roadmap, EAA cheques end on 15 November and payments move to Raast on 16 November. Key dates explained.
Digital payments in Pakistan: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked authorities for a roadmap to a 100% digital payments system, and government payments under Easy Assignment Accounts (EAA) will move to Raast from 16 November 2026. Cheque payments under these accounts end on 15 November.
The directions came at a meeting on the cashless economy in Islamabad, reported on 7 November 2026 and attended by federal ministers, provincial chief secretaries and State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad.
Digital payments in Pakistan: key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 November 2026 | Cheque payments under Easy Assignment Accounts stop |
| 16 November 2026 | All EAA payments move to the Raast system |
| December 2026 | Payments in most federal and provincial institutions expected to be fully digital |
Other directions from the meeting
- Present a roadmap for 100% digital payments with timelines and targets.
- Fix consumer complaints about digital payments immediately.
- Continue the Raast QR code programme for payments to shops and merchants.
- Run a media campaign asking people to pay electricity and gas bills through the QR code on the bill.
- All ministries and government bodies to implement the cashless economy plan.
The meeting was told that all BISP payments are already made through digital wallets, and that a payment option for areas without internet is being developed.
What this means for you
Government suppliers and employees paid through EAA will receive payments through Raast instead of cheques from 16 November. For households, paying utility bills by scanning the QR code with a bank or wallet app is quicker and avoids queues. The government’s other business support measures, such as SME long-term financing and the SMEConnect portal, are also moving online.
Frequently asked questions
What is Raast?
Raast is the State Bank of Pakistan’s instant payment system for free, real-time transfers between bank accounts and wallets.
Will cash be banned?
No such decision was announced. The directions are about moving government and bill payments to digital channels.
Source: The Nation (7 November 2026).
