Dera Ismail Khan
\nBusiness owners and economic experts in Dera Ismail Khan have hailed the federal government\u2019s Digital Pakistan and financial inclusion initiatives, saying the measures are promoting a cashless economy, improving business efficiency and expanding access to formal banking services.
\nThey expressed these views after Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, during his budget speech for fiscal year 2026-27 at Parliament House, highlighted the progress made under the Digital Pakistan agenda.
\nThe finance minister said the number of people using digital banking services had increased to 133 million across the country. He said the number of merchants and businesses connected to digital payment systems surged to 1.677 million from 500,000 a year ago, while annual digital transactions rose significantly from 6.9 billion to 10.1 billion, reflecting growing public confidence in digital financial services and wider acceptance of cashless payment methods.
\nPresident Central Traders Union Dera Ismail Khan Sohail Ahmed Azmi appreciated the government\u2019s initiative and termed the rapid growth in digital banking and merchant connectivity a positive development for traders and the national economy.
\nTalking to APP, he said digital payment systems had brought convenience and transparency to commercial activities and enabled traders to conduct business in a more efficient manner.
\n\u201cThe government\u2019s efforts to promote digital payments and financial inclusion are commendable.
\nThe increasing use of digital payments is helping traders reduce dependence on cash while improving record-keeping and financial management,\u201d he remarked.
\nAzmi said small and medium-sized businesses were increasingly adopting digital payment methods and expressed hope that the government would further strengthen internet connectivity, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure to facilitate traders across urban and rural areas.
\nMuhammad Irfan Haider, a trader in Dera Ismail Khan city, told APP that digital payment systems had made business transactions easier and more secure.
\n\u201cCustomers are increasingly using mobile banking applications and QR code payments, which has reduced dependence on cash and improved transparency in business dealings,\u201d he said.
\nEconomist Muhammad Tariq appreciated the government\u2019s efforts to promote financial inclusion, saying the increase in digital banking users, merchant participation and digital transactions was an encouraging sign for the country\u2019s economy.
\n\u201cThe federal government\u2019s initiative is helping bring more people into the formal financial system. Greater banking penetration and digital transactions can improve economic documentation, enhance transparency and support sustainable economic growth,\u201d he observed.
\nTariq suggested that the government should continue investing in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and public awareness campaigns to ensure that the benefits of digitalization reach people living in remote and underserved areas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dera Ismail Khan Business owners and economic experts in Dera Ismail Khan have hailed the federal government\u2019s Digital Pakistan and financial inclusion initiatives, saying the measures are promoting a cashless economy, improving business efficiency and expanding access to formal banking services. They expressed these views after Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, during his budget […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-551332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-business"],"yoast_head":"\n