ISLAMABAD: People of the twin cities are bearing the brunt of the anti-government protest as the federation has placed Islamabad under a lockdown, partially blocking cellular services, forcing educational institutes and business to temporarily shut down as the Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), led Azadi March descends adamant to topple Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.
Taking preventive measures, the government has blocked key routes to sensitive government installations placing shipping containers across the city, increasing security, disrupting the lives of residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The march echoes the 2014 four-month long “Tsunami March” by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf against the then Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government accusing Nawaz Sharif’s political party of syphoning public funds and mass corruption.
Arab News took to the streets of the peaceful serene capital turned into a container city — a name coined by Pakistanis to observe the difficulties faced by the common man and commuters. More in this video report.
Islamabad shell shocked as Azadi March descends on the capital
Islamabad shell shocked as Azadi March descends on the capital
- Government blocks key routes to sensitive installations placing shipping containers across the city
- Firebrand religious-politico leader rallies thousands to Islamabad adamant to topple the government
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.”
