Province Launches Cashless KP Initiative, Gets Cabinet Approval for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Digital Payments Act, 2025
KP CM Sohail Afridi. Photo: screenshot
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has reiterated that timely delivery of high-quality public services to citizens is the top priority of his administration, as the province advances its ambitious good governance roadmap aimed at transforming administrative efficiency, transparency and accountability.
Chairing a key review meeting via video link, the Chief Minister highlighted that the road map has already produced measurable improvements in the government’s performance. “We are making institutions more efficient and responsive, restoring public trust through faster and transparent service delivery,” he said. Clear performance targets and a robust monitoring system have been introduced in all departments to ensure that citizens receive services without delays or compromise on quality.
The officials gave a detailed presentation on sectoral achievements. In the area of digital transformation, the province launched the Cashless KP initiative and secured cabinet approval for the landmark Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Digital Payments Act, 2025, making KP the first in Pakistan to enact comprehensive legislation for a digital economy. The law, which will soon be tabled in the provincial assembly, mandates QR code-based payments in government and commercial transactions to enhance transparency and financial inclusion. More than 100 public services have been digitized, including property transfers and the issuance of land registers (fard). The deployment of the e-Summaries and e-Office systems made it possible to process more than 1,500 summaries and more than 600 files, significantly streamlining bureaucratic processes.
Health reforms have figured prominently, with 150 basic health units (BHUs) and rural health centers (RHCs) upgraded to function as 24/7 delivery centers. Recruitment is progressing to recruit 700 contract doctors to staff these facilities, while approval has been granted to hire 2,400 doctors for vacant positions. The outsourcing of 72 health facilities is expected to be completed by August this year.
Tourism development in scenic areas has been boosted through the outsourcing of solid waste management under the Galyat Development Authority. Master plans and land use strategies are underway for the Kalam, Kaghan, Kumrat and Galyat regions. Interest-free loans totaling Rs 150 million were provided to residents for community tourism accommodation.
In agriculture, particularly in merged municipalities, grafting has made it possible to convert 150,000 wild olive trees into high-yielding European varieties. Farmers received 200 mechanized agricultural machines and 700 waterways were upgraded with community participation.
