KARACHI: Karachi, the city of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm.
Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, other high government officials, diplomats and students of different schools visited the mausoleum of the father of nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah here on the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan.
The officials hoisted flags and offered Fateha at the tomb of Jinnah. The nominated Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited the mausoleum to pay homage to the father of the nation.
Earlier, a change of the guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum, during which cadets of the Pakistan Navy took charge of their duties. Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Waqar Muhammad was the chief guest at the ceremony.
Several events were held across the city of Quid to mark Independence Day. Schools were also open, where the day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The celebrations in Karachi started on Monday night with national songs, fireworks and a cake-cutting ceremony.
The nominated Governor Imran Ismail cut the Independence Day cake at Karachi Press Club, where a spectacular fireworks display was held at the Arts Council of Pakistan.
Youths from across the city traveled to the seaside to dance to national songs.
City of Pakistan founder celebrates Independence Day
City of Pakistan founder celebrates Independence Day
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
Pakistan bank enables Shariah-compliant digital payment facility for passengers at Islamabad airport
- Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions in the informal sector are made without any taxes, officials say
- The move comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports under which only digital service providers can provide services
KARACHI: Aik, Pakistan’s first Islamic digital bank, has enabled fully digital payments at Islamabad International Airport to offer travelers and passengers secure, Shariah compliant digital transaction facility.
The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to introduce a cashless model at airports across the country, under which only digital service providers can provide services to customers.
Aik, a subsidiary of Bank Islami, said it has onboarded merchants across the Islamabad airport and integrated QR code deployments at key touchpoints to allow passengers and visitors to make secure, seamless, and Shariah-compliant digital transactions at all counters, retail outlets, and service points.
It said the implementation complies with the regulations and framework set by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and is a working model for a large-scale adoption of cashless systems in public infrastructure.
“This deployment reflects our commitment to building practical digital infrastructure that improves everyday transactions,” Aik Chief Officer Ashfaque Ahmed said in a statement.
“By enabling a fully cashless environment at a major national gateway, we are supporting efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion at scale. This is not only a project; it is a foundation for Pakistan’s cashless future.”
Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted in cash. Officials say many of these transactions are aimed at avoiding taxes.
In recent years, the SBP has taken steps to ensure a transition toward a more cashless economy so that transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption.
By digitizing Islamabad airport, aik said it continues to invest in secure and accessible financial solutions that “expand digital participation and support national economic modernization.”
