PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Digital Promotion of Payments (Amendment) Bill 2026 by majority vote, introducing measures aimed at promoting a cashless economy and greater transparency across the province.
The provincial law minister, Aftab Alam, has presented the bill in the assembly.
According to the bill, all commercial centers, shops, educational institutions, clinics and hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be required to promote digital payment methods and show QR code to customers.
It has been said in the bill that no extra charges can be imposed on customers who make digital payments. Heavy fines can be imposed on those businesses which refuse to accept digital payment methods under this law.
The monitoring officers will also be empowered to inspect any commercial establishment at any time for this purpose.
In an effort to encourage the move towards a cashless economy, the bill says that newly registered businesses will get tax exemption for two years.
The bill also says that banks and payment service providers must provide technical support to businesses for this purpose.
KP Govt Orders Major Reshuffle, Announces Key Transfers and Postings
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a series of transfers and postings of senior provincial officers, with the Establishment and Human Resource Management Department issuing separate notifications.
According to the notifications, Muhammad Shiraz (PMS, BS-19), Additional Secretary in the Science and Technology and Information Technology Department, has been transferred with immediate effect and appointed as the new Director General of the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA).
His appointment follows the removal of former KDA Director General Rehmat Ali (PMS, BS-18), who has been directed to report to the Human Resource Management Department.
Meanwhile, changes have also been made in the Fisheries Department in light of a decision by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Service Tribunal.
Under the notification, Senior Director Fisheries Muhammad Shafi Marwat (BPS-20) has been promoted and appointed as Director General Fisheries, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Former Director General Fisheries Zubair Ali (BPS-20) has been posted as Senior Director Fisheries in his place.
The Establishment and Human Resource Management Department said all the transfers, postings and appointments will take effect immediately.
