KEY POINTS
- H-9 weekly bazaar becomes the first market in Pakistan to operate entirely through digital payments.
- Vendors and buyers express optimism, praising speed, safety, and transparency in transactions.
- Upcoming expansion to hospitals, malls, hotels, and the airport announced.
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark step toward transforming the Federal Capital into Pakistan’s first fully cashless and digital city, Islamabad unveiled the country’s first designated cashless weekly bazaar in Sector H-9, a milestone that signals a new era in urban modernisation.
Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, formally inaugurated the project at a ceremony attended by senior officials, including Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Chief Officer MCI Dr. Anam Fatima, CEO Zindigi Noman Azhar, representatives of the State Bank, CDA, district administration, traders, and enthusiastic citizens.
For the first time, the H-9 bazaar now operates entirely on digital payments. Chairman Randhawa personally tested the system on-ground, making purchases at multiple stalls using the new cashless method, a gesture that reassured merchants and shoppers that the system is not only functional but seamless.
Vendors and shoppers at the H-9 cashless bazaar shared a mix of excitement and cautious optimism as the new system took off.
A fruit vendor Usman Khan admitted he was initially nervous but felt reassured after watching the Chairman use the digital system himself, noting that payments now reach his account within seconds.
He said the shift to digital transactions has eased long-standing worries about cash safety, calling it a major relief for small traders.
A tea stall holder Hikmatullah praised the speed of the process, saying customers simply “scan and go,” while a toy seller welcomed the change but stressed the need for stable internet to help customers adapt.
Buyers also expressed strong support: a university student said the experience made Islamabad feel “finally futuristic,” a mother Lalarukh Farooq found shopping easier without managing cash alongside her child, and a senior citizen appreciated the staff who guided him through the new method.
An office worker highlighted the appeal of digital payment discounts, calling the system quicker and more secure.
On the occasion, officials briefed Chairman CDA that customers using digital payments will receive special discounts, making the shift more attractive.
They also revealed that this cashless model will soon extend to Islamabad’s commercial centres, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and even the Islamabad International Airport.
Praising the collaborative effort of MCI, the district administration, Zindigi, and partner banks, Chairman Randhawa said the initiative reflects the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi: to ease citizens’ lives and bring government services into the digital age.
He noted that a fully cashless system would enhance transparency, eliminate fraud, and provide secure, fast, and efficient transaction options for both shoppers and vendors.
Banks, he stressed, must offer maximum support and incentives to ensure the digital payment ecosystem flourishes.
Randhawa directed bazaar authorities to display digital price lists and stallholder licenses prominently to build public trust. He also urged an extensive awareness campaign so citizens can understand the benefits of a cash-free marketplace.
During his visit, he interacted with residents and shoppers, assuring them that the system prioritises security and transparency. He said the successful rollout in H-9 was the result of collective dedication and is a crucial step toward making Islamabad a technologically advanced, globally competitive city.
Concluding the ceremony, Chairman Randhawa delivered a hopeful message: “Let us all join hands to implement this historic initiative across Islamabad and make our capital a fully cashless and digital city.”
