ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has taken a step toward becoming a digital city with the launch of Pakistan’s first fully cashless weekly bazaar in Sector H-9. The system was formally rolled out on Friday, where shoppers were able to make payments digitally at all stalls.
Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa visited the bazaar to review the new setup. He made purchases using the digital system and inspected how traders and customers were adapting to the change. Senior officials from the CDA, MCI, district administration, State Bank and partner banks were also present.
According to officials, buyers paying through digital methods are being offered special discounts as an incentive. The administration says the cashless model will gradually be extended to major commercial centres of the city, including markets, restaurants, hospitals and even Islamabad Airport.
Stallholders have been directed to display their licenses and price lists on digital boards, while a public awareness campaign is also being launched to help citizens understand the system. Officials noted that digital payments offer faster transactions, greater transparency and reduced risk of fraud.
Many shoppers at the bazaar welcomed the concept but said it would take time for residents and traders to get used to the new method. Traders also said the success of the system would depend on reliable internet connectivity and ease of use for both small and large vendors.
The CDA says the H-9 bazaar will serve as a pilot for shifting Islamabad’s markets toward cashless payments. If successful, the system will be replicated across the city in phases.
