Govt to shift all Asaan Assignment Accounts payments to Raast from November 16

The government will end cheque payments through Asaan Assignment Accounts on November 15 and route transactions through Raast starting November 16, Profit by Pakistan Today reported. The change was announced at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where officials said most federal and provincial institutions were expected to digitise payments by December 2026.

Officials said Drawing and Disbursing Officers had received training, while payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme were already being made through digital wallets. Sharif also called for a timetable to move government payments fully online, better access to digital services in areas with weak internet, and a public campaign encouraging QR-code payments for utility bills.