Islamabad:
The government has decided to launch a digital rewards platform of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), called National Digital Wallet, to promote cashless economy in Pakistan.
Under the proposed plan, 1% of electricity, gas and fuel bills can be linked to digital rewards. According to sources, the IT ministry has made these recommendations to the government.
The plan will be implemented according to guidelines developed in consultation with all stakeholders.
After getting a nod from stakeholders, the IT ministry will submit an outline to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the cabinet for formal approval.
As per the ministry’s recommendations, NADRA will partner with an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) to launch the National Digital Wallet.
The ministry will issue policy instructions to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to link airtime credit (easy load) with digital rewards under the National Digital Wallet.
As per the proposals, 10% of every airtime credit of Rs 1,000 i.e. Rs 100 will be loaded into the digital wallet. The government has also decided to announce rewards for fuel and utility payments.
As part of the IT ministry’s recommendations, the Ministry of Energy (Department of Electricity) will link 1% of electricity bills to digital wallet rewards. Accordingly, the Ministry of Energy (Department of Petroleum) will link 1% of fuel payments to digital rewards. It will also plug 1% of gas bills.
The remaining digital wallet will be made available through OpenAI for fintech applications and services.
NADRA will also determine the charges for maintenance and usage of the digital wallet, which will be supported by Karandaaz.
This is one of the initiatives taken by the caretaker government to promote cashless payments.
Reading Telecommunications industry to promote digitization
“The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has played an important role in the timely approval of policies and projects proposed by the IT ministry,” remarked IT and Telecommunication Acting Minister Dr Umar Saif.
Already, the government has made it easier for IT companies by allowing them to keep up to 50% of revenue in dollars in their accounts, resulting in record IT exports in December 2023.
It has also launched a world-class training program for 200,000 IT graduates from universities.
A key initiative is Payal’s upcoming indirect footprint in Pakistan in partnership with Payoneer to facilitate freelancers. With this, the major problem of digital payment gateway for freelancers has been solved.
The government hopes 10,000 accounts will be opened from February 1 as part of the pilot project. These freelancer accounts will be able to receive money through PayPal.
In a bid to provide facilities to freelancers under one roof, the government has set up 10,000 e-job centers. The IT minister believes that a million freelancers working in these centers can boost IT exports to $10 billion annually.
In addition, all barriers to the availability of 5G spectrum have been removed. The government is expected to hold a 5G auction in July or August this year.
The caretaker government also established the Telecom Tribunal, which was a long-standing demand of the telecom sector to resolve their disputes.
Pakistan Startup Fund worth Rs 2 billion has been launched to help young creators.
The caretaker government has announced Pakistan’s first space policy to provide internet facility to remote areas where cable network is not available. Under this program, low-orbit satellites will be allowed in space to connect to the Internet.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21u2024.
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