In a significant move towards digital economic integration, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to deepen cooperation on promoting a cashless economy and advancing digital transformation. The consensus emerged from a high-level bilateral consultative meeting, where both nations pledged to share technical expertise, digital strategies, and policy frameworks to boost financial inclusion and efficiency.
Bilateral Talks Focus on Digital Payment Ecosystems
The meeting brought together key officials from both sides. Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kayani, led the delegation from Islamabad, while the UAE delegation was headed by Minister of State Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini.
During the discussions, UAE officials provided an in-depth presentation on their digital payment and receipt infrastructure, emphasizing how the country’s advanced digital systems have streamlined transactions, improved public service delivery, and expanded access to financial services. The Pakistani side acknowledged the UAE’s success and expressed keen interest in applying similar innovations domestically.
Pakistan Underscores PM Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Vision
The Pakistani delegation highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of a cashless, digital-first economy, aimed at modernizing financial services and enhancing transparency. They pointed to recent reforms and digital initiatives under his leadership that align with global best practices in governance and financial technology.
Both countries agreed to continue collaboration through technical teams, focusing on digital payments, financial innovation, and institutional strengthening. The partnership also includes support in developing secure, inclusive, and efficient governance models for the digital economy.
Ongoing Collaboration and Mutual Appreciation
Bilal Azhar Kayani expressed gratitude to the UAE for sharing its digital transformation roadmap and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging international partnerships to accelerate its own progress. He noted that continued UAE-Pakistan cooperation would be crucial in shaping a future-ready financial ecosystem.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain regular dialogue and explore further areas of collaboration in finance, governance, and technology, marking a new chapter in their economic partnership focused on digital innovation.
