ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election oversight body on Tuesday postponed local government elections in nine districts of the southern Sindh province in view of heavy rains and floods, which have so far killed 239 people in the province.
The first phase of local government elections was held in 14 districts of Sindh in June, but the second phase of polls in Karachi and Hyderabad divisions, scheduled for July 24, had been postponed due to monsoon downpours.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had rescheduled the polls in Karachi and Hyderabad for August 28, however, it has now decided to delay elections in nine districts of the province.
“In view of recommendations by the provincial election commissioner, district administration and weather reports, the Election Commission of Pakistan has postponed local elections in nine districts of Hyderabad division until the situation gets better,” an ECP spokesperson said in a statement late Tuesday.
The election oversight body said it would hold a meeting on Wednesday to decide about local government polls in Karachi division after reviewing various points raised by the provincial government, difficulties in the conduct of polls and weather reports for the next few days.
Pakistan has been hit by one of the worst monsoon seasons in decades, with the Sindh province reporting the highest number of fatalities in the country. On Tuesday, the nationwide death toll surged to 830.
The country is likely to receive more showers from August 23 till August 26, according to the Met Office.
Pakistan election body postpones local polls in nine flood-ravaged districts of Sindh
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Pakistan election body postpones local polls in nine flood-ravaged districts of Sindh
- Pakistan has been hit by worst monsoon rains in decades, with Sindh reporting highest fatalities
- Election authorities will meet on Wednesday to decide the fate of August 28 local polls in Karachi
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.”
