ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Monday reiterated the government’s commitment to integrating technology with financial services to promote financial inclusion, ensure transparency and pave the way for a cashless economy.

Addressing the launch ceremony of Z-Wallet, Tarar said the government’s vision was to provide citizens with accessible, convenient and integrated financial services powered by modern technology.

He said the initiative, launched through a collaboration between Zindagi, Zong and JS Bank, reflected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of promoting technological integration and advancing the country towards a cashless economy.

The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also constituted a high-powered committee on the cashless economy, which he was personally chairing.

Recalling the prime minister’s tenure as chief minister of Punjab, Tarar said the first IT board in the province was established during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure.

He said the Punjab IT Board was among the first public-sector institutions established with a technology-focused approach.

Tarar also recalled that the first video conferencing service in the public sector was introduced during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure as chief minister of Punjab. The initiative enabled officials posted in far-flung areas to participate in meetings without having to travel to Lahore.

“This marked the beginning of a journey towards technological advancement, inclusion and efficiency,” he remarked.

The federal minister also recalled the criticism faced by the laptop scheme and said the initiative reflected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of promoting technology.

He said the importance of such initiatives became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when technology enabled large numbers of people to work from home while students continued their education through online platforms.

Tarar congratulated all stakeholders involved in the launch of Z-Wallet and said the government not only welcomed the initiative but would also fully support it.

“This is a great step and collaboration,” he said, assuring stakeholders that wherever industries came together to promote internet banking, technological advancement and telecom services, the government would stand with them.

He also appreciated the name Z-Wallet, saying it had a strong connection with the modern generation and reflected the nature of the initiative.

Tarar further said that the government would highlight the Z-Wallet initiative in its upcoming meeting on the cashless economy. He added that the initiative would also be included in the press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office so that other institutions and sectors could follow its example.

The minister expressed hope that collaboration between technology, telecommunications and financial services would further strengthen financial inclusion and contribute to the establishment of a cashless economy in Pakistan.