KP introduces Digital Payment Act 2026, cashless system made mandatory

PESHAWAR: The “Digital Payment Act 2026” has been presented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in which a cashless system has been declared mandatory for all businesses.

According to details, a revolutionary step was taken in the recent session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to make the province’s economy modern and transparent.

Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam presented the “Digital Payment Act 2026” in the house, under which a digital payment system will be implemented in the entire province.

According to the proposed bill, the transaction procedure in the province will now be completely changed, while it will be mandatory for all shops, commercial centers, educational institutions, clinics and hospitals to adopt a digital payment system and display QR codes at prominent places.

It will be legally prohibited to charge any additional charges from the customer in the case of digital payment, and heavy fines will be imposed on businesses and shopkeepers who refuse to accept digital payments.

The bill has devised a strict monitoring system to ensure transparency in the economy. Monitoring officers will have the authority to inspect any business center at any time to ensure implementation of the law.

The government has also offered major relief to the business community to encourage this system, in which businesses newly registered under the digital system will be given special tax exemption for 2 years.

According to the Law Minister, it will be the responsibility of banks and service providers to provide traders with the necessary technical support for this system.

Officials say that the promotion of QR codes and digital payments will bring documentary transparency to the provincial economy, eliminate tax evasion and make the purchasing process safer and easier for citizens.