Washington, D.C: The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, participated in a roundtable organized by the World Bank, focusing on digital social protection and inclusion. The event, titled “Delivering Social Protection Digitally: Lessons and Innovations from Pakistan, Middle East and North Africa,” was held alongside the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

According to Press Information Department, the session featured presentations on Pakistan’s Digital Public Infrastructure journey and the digital transformation of the Benazir Income Support Programme. The Finance Minister opened the discussion by comparing the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing Middle East conflict, emphasizing the importance of early investment in governance and technology.

The Finance Minister outlined how digital subsidies for two-wheelers, public transport, and small farmers are being efficiently distributed through an established digital payments system. He emphasized that digital social protection extends beyond payment mechanisms, serving as a tool for financial inclusion and economic empowerment. By facilitating access to formal bank accounts and digital transactions, particularly for women, Pakistan aims to foster long-term economic participation and enhance documentation of the informal economy.