The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced ambitious plans to make Islamabad Pakistan’s first fully digital city, with initiatives to introduce advanced traffic management, cashless transactions, and city-wide high-speed internet. These decisions were made during a high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa at the CDA Headquarters on Tuesday, where senior officials and board members reviewed the progress on the city’s digital transformation.
The meeting focused on implementing a technology-driven traffic management system, which will include real-time drone surveillance, AI-based congestion analysis using Google data, and automated speed tracking to regulate traffic flow. Immediate measures will be taken to ease congestion at 11 major points, with long-term solutions for other areas under study.
To promote convenience and transparency, Islamabad is set to transition to a cashless economy. Key steps in this transition will involve the introduction of QR code-based digital payments at businesses, restaurants, and shops. Additionally, merchants will be incentivized to register digitally with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The pilot launch of this initiative will take place in Blue Area, Food Street, and Parking Plaza, offering customers the option of cash or digital payments.
Plans for phased free Wi-Fi across the city were also discussed during the meeting. CDA’s One-Window operations have already been fully digitized, with all payments processed online.
Chairman Randhawa emphasized that digitizing Islamabad would set a national benchmark for other cities in Pakistan. He added that the implementation of digital payments and cashless systems would not only enhance transparency but also bring modern facilities to the public, further reinforcing the CDA’s commitment to becoming a fully digital institution in line with global standards.
