PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Promotion of Digital Payment Act 2026, aiming to promote digital transactions and move the province towards a cashless economy.
Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam introduced the digital payments bill in the provincial assembly on Friday.
Under the proposed law, businesses across the province will be required to facilitate digital payments and display QR codes at shops and commercial centres. Educational institutions, clinics and hospitals will also have to provide digital payment facilities.
Businesses will not be allowed to charge customers extra for using digital payment methods. Those refusing to accept digital payments could face fines under the new law.
The legislation also authorizes monitoring officers to inspect business premises at any time to ensure compliance.
To encourage the formalization of businesses, newly registered businesses will receive tax relief for two years. Banks and digital payment service providers will also be required to provide technical assistance to businesses adopting digital payment systems.
The provincial government said the initiative will improve transparency, expand digital transactions and encourage citizens to reduce their reliance on cash.
Meanwhile, the KP Assembly session witnessed heated exchanges during a discussion about the health and treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan.
Government lawmaker Sajjad Barkwal criticized Khan’s alleged treatment, while PML-N member Sobia Shahid raised a quorum point, triggering protests from government lawmakers.
