Govt fully supports initiatives for financial inclusion: Info Minister Tarar

Islamabad (Web Desk): Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating Pakistan’s transition towards a cashless and digitally driven economy.

He was speaking at the launch ceremony of Z-Wallet under JS Bank in Islamabad, where he welcomed the initiative as an important step towards making financial services more accessible through technology.

The minister praised the partnership between Zong and Zindigi, along with JS Bank, saying that cooperation between the telecommunications and banking sectors could play a significant role in bringing modern financial services closer to ordinary citizens.

Attaullah Tarar said the initiative combines mobile connectivity, digital technology and internet-based banking services on platforms that people already use in their daily lives. This, he added, would make it easier for citizens to access financial services without having to rely solely on traditional banking channels.

He stressed that the government would continue to encourage and facilitate projects involving digital technology, telecommunications, online banking and financial inclusion.

According to the minister, such initiatives can help expand access to formal financial services while supporting the broader digital transformation of the country.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani highlighted the government’s efforts to develop Pakistan’s digital economy and increase the use of technology in financial transactions.

He said the government was focusing on expanding digital payment systems, encouraging innovation and promoting the use of enabling technologies to make financial transactions faster, easier and more accessible.

Bilal Azhar Kayani also outlined progress made in different areas of digital financial services against previously established targets.

He said efforts were being made to ensure that citizens have access to at least one digital payment method whenever they need to make payments to the government.

He cited several examples, including toll taxes, motor vehicle licence fees and utility bills, saying that digital payment options were being developed across such services to reduce dependence on cash.

The speakers emphasised that greater adoption of digital financial services could improve convenience for citizens, promote transparency and support the government’s broader objective of building a modern, technology-enabled economy.