ISLAMABAD: Another significant milestone has been achieved in the mission to transform the Federal Capital, Islamabad, into a cashless and digital City. Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, inaugurated Pakistan’s first designated cashless weekly bazaar in Sector H-9 on Friday.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Chief Officer MCI Dr. Anam Fatima, CEO Zindigi Noman Azhar, senior officers from the State Bank of Pakistan, CDA, district administration and a large number of customers and merchants.

It is important to highlight that a fully cashless system has been formally implemented in the weekly bazaar of Sector H-9, Islamabad. Chairman CDA reviewed the digital payment system at the Sector H-9 weekly bazaar in detail. Accompanied by the Member Finance and the Chief Officer MCI, he also made payments at various stalls in the Sector H-9 bazaar using the cashless method.

During a briefing on this occasion, Chairman CDA was apprised that special discounts are being offered to consumers/citizens for payments made through digital methods. He was further informed that the cashless system is also being introduced across all commercial centers and shopping centers of the city, including hospitals, hotels, restaurants and the Islamabad Airport as well.

Chairman CDA appreciated the efforts of the MCI, Islamabad administration, Zindigi’s team, representatives of central and commercial banks, and said that this excellent initiative has been launched in line with the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and the Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, keeping in view the facilitation of citizens and consumers.

Chairman CDA said that the objective of these measures is to make Islamabad Pakistan’s first cashless and digital city. He said that the cashless system will not only adopt an e-governance model but will also provide the public with easy, secure, fast and highly transparent payment facilities.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that this system will not only ease transactions for citizens/consumers but will also promote a cashless economy in the capital city, Islamabad. He added that for the success of this modern system, banks will need to provide maximum facilities and concessions to both consumers and traders.

Chairman CDA directed the bazaar management to ensure that the licenses and price lists of all stall holders are prominently displayed on digital boards. He also instructed them to run a comprehensive public awareness campaign regarding the cashless system.

Chairman CDA also informed the citizens and customers who had come for shopping at the Sector H-9 bazaar about the benefits of cashless transactions. He said that the primary goal of implementing the cashless system and digital payments is to provide equal benefits to both citizens and merchants.

Chairman CDA emphasized that the aim of these measures is to secure all kinds of financial transactions for citizens through the cashless and digital system and to protect them from fraud and deception. He noted that the successful implementation of the cashless system in the Sector H-9 weekly bazaar is the result of the combined efforts of all stakeholders.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa said that these measures are extremely necessary for achieving the objectives of making Islamabad an international city. He further added, “Let us all join hands to bring this historic initiative to its full implementation across Islamabad and make our capital a fully cashless and digital City.”