Staff Report
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) hosted the Digital Payment Challenge 2025, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, fintech experts, and representatives from leading financial and technology institutions to accelerate the province’s journey toward a cashless economy.
The event highlighted the vision of a Cashless Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — a province where citizens, institutions, and businesses can conduct digital transactions seamlessly, securely, and transparently.
Through its FinTech Unit, KPITB has been spearheading efforts to digitize both Person-to-Government (P2G) and Government-to-Person (G2P) payments. Citizens can now pay government fees digitally in real time, while digital platforms are enabling faster and more transparent financial interactions across public services.
A key highlight of the event was the pitching session, where shortlisted entrepreneurs and startups presented their innovative digital payment solutions to a panel of experts and industry representatives. These ideas focused on enhancing financial inclusion, improving transaction transparency, and enabling efficient digital payment systems across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At the conclusion of the event, cash prizes were distributed among the top three winning ideas.
The first position holder received PKR 300,000,
The second position holder received PKR 200,000, and
The third position holder received PKR 100,000.
The event also featured participation from State Bank of Pakistan, 1LINK, Finance Department, academic institutions, and incubation centers, reflecting strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen the digital payments landscape.
Speakers emphasized that the shift toward digital payments is not only about technology but also about empowerment, inclusion, and transparency, ensuring accessible and efficient financial services for all citizens.
The Digital Payment Challenge 2025 concluded with appreciation for all participants and a reaffirmation of KPITB’s commitment to supporting fintech innovations that drive digital transformation across the province.
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