Use of cheques will be stopped: All AAA payments only via Raast from 16th

ISLAMABAD: In a major step towards promoting a cashless economy, the government announced on Friday that cheque-based payments under Asaan Assignment Accounts (AAA) system would be discontinued from November 15, with all payments to be made exclusively through Raast from November 16.

The decision was announced at a high-level meeting on the promotion of a cashless economy, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Officials briefed the meeting that all payments through AAA across the country would be made digitally through the Raast system from November 16, adding that drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) had already received training in this regard.

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The meeting was told that the digitisation of payments was progressing across federal and provincial government departments, with most institutions expected to complete the process by December 2026.

Payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) were now being made entirely through digital wallets, officials said.

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to prepare a clear roadmap, with specific targets and deadlines, for establishing a fully digital payments system across the country.

He also called on all ministries and government institutions to ensure full implementation of the government’s cashless economy plan.

Emphasising the need to make digital payments accessible to all sections of society, he directed officials to address, without delay, the technical and consumer-related problems faced by users.

He said wider access to technology and reliable internet connectivity were essential to the success of the initiative.

The meeting also reviewed efforts to promote Raast QR code payments between consumers and merchants.

The prime minister directed that the initiative continue under government patronage, observing that QR-based payments were helping advance the government’s vision of a cashless economy.

He called for an effective media campaign to encourage electricity and gas consumers to pay their utility bills by scanning the QR codes printed on them.

Officials informed the meeting that work was under way to introduce a system enabling digital transactions in areas without internet access.

They added that efforts were also being accelerated to develop the infrastructure needed for improved internet connectivity across the country.

Describing the transition to digital payments as a key government priority, the prime minister commended the finance ministry and other relevant institutions for their efforts to promote a cashless economy.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT Minister Shaza Fatima, Information Minister AttaullahTarar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Power Minister Awais Leghari, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Kayani, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries and senior government officials attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026