Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, unveiled the government’s pioneering approach to providing targeted subsidies through digital wallets. She shared that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had entrusted various ministries including IT industries and Food Security, with the responsibility of devising out-of-the-box solutions for effective and dignified distribution of the Ramadan Relief Package.
This resulted in the launch of a Rs. 20 billion digital payments initiative — a first in Pakistan’s history.
“PM Shehbaz Sharif provided us the space and confidence to implement this digital initiative,” she said. The concept of using digital wallets to distribute aid emerged as a more efficient and transparent mechanism, aligning with the PM’s broader vision for national digital transformation. The effort ties directly into the recently passed “Digital Nation Pakistan Bill,” marking a foundational framework for steering the country toward a fully digitized economy.
She emphasized the initiative’s transformative role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly among underserved populations. “One of the most significant impacts is digital inclusivity,” Shaza noted, revealing that more than 900,000 digital wallets were created under the program, enabling over 1.9 million transactions. These included bill payments, mobile top-ups, loans, and insurance — all conducted digitally, removing the need for physical queues and preserving citizens’ dignity during aid disbursement.
Highlighting the gender dimension of the initiative, Shaza Fatima stated that over 823,000 women opened digital wallets and conducted transactions. This, she stressed, is a major step toward bridging the digital gender divide and integrating women into the formal economy. “Once people start using these services, they become habitual users. This is not just about relief — it’s about long-term empowerment,” she added. Additionally, more than 2,500 differently-abled individuals also participated in the digital payments ecosystem.
The minister extended her gratitude to all stakeholders involved — from ministries and regulators to the State Bank, PTA, and NTC — noting that a dedicated control room was set up to handle public complaints, receiving over 2 million calls. She concluded by announcing that the Prime Minister has ordered a third-party evaluation of the program to ensure transparency and accountability.