The inauguration ceremony brought together key public and private stakeholders, including Station Commander Brig Syed Ali Anjum, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Usman Shaukat, senior RCB officials, Zindigi Chief Officer Noman Azhar and State Bank of Pakistan Chief Manager Rizwan Khalil Shamsie. Their presence reflected a shared resolve to move from talk to tangible change.
A Market That Now Runs on ‘Scan and Pay’
Under the new system, customers at every stall on Bank Road can make payments digitally through QR codes. The traditional cash system, however, remains in place, ensuring that no shopper is left behind during the transition.
The initiative, powered by Zindigi in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan Rawalpindi, allows merchants to receive instant payments through the Raast QR system. With a simple “scan and pay” tap, funds move from any bank account or mobile wallet directly to the seller swiftly, securely and without fuss.
It is a shift that replaces loose change with clear records, long queues with quick confirmations, and guesswork with transparency.
More Than a Payment Method
Officials say the digitisation of Saddar Bazar is not just about convenience; it is about building trust and widening access. By bringing small traders into the digital fold, the system opens doors to formal banking channels, strengthens financial inclusion, and sets the groundwork for smarter markets across the country.
Noman Azhar described the transformation as more than a technical upgrade. “Saddar Bazar Rawalpindi is not just going digital; it is becoming a live lab,” he said, highlighting how the market will test next-generation payment tools and shape the blueprint for future cashless ecosystems.
A Model for Markets Nationwide
Bank Road’s transition stands as a practical pilot project proof that digital reform does not have to stay confined to boardrooms and policy papers. It can unfold in everyday spaces where people bargain, buy and build livelihoods.
The digitisation of one of Rawalpindi’s most crowded commercial centres demonstrates that change can be steady, inclusive and realistic. If successful, this model could ripple outward to other markets, gradually steering Pakistan toward a cash light, tech driven economy.
For shoppers and shopkeepers alike, the message is simple: a quick scan today may well shape the marketplace of tomorrow.
