This letter is in response to the recent reports that the Prime Minister has set a one-month deadline for government offices to go paperless. I commend Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts to modernise the federal government’s operations and bring them in line with contemporary digital standards. Both the third-party audit and e-procurement projects are crucial initiatives designed to expedite decision-making across project stages, including evaluation, approval, implementation, control, payment and post-monitoring. Such measures are bound to enhance efficiency and transparency, ensuring that government-funded projects across the country deliver value for money as well as accountability.
To ensure these reforms have lasting and measurable impacts, a designated ministry, like the Ministry of IT or NADRA, should spearhead the development of a comprehensive E-Governance Action Plan. This blueprint should detail the step-by-step digitisation of all ministries, covering every layer of federal operations. A carefully structured implementation process will enable these systems to withstand the complexities of real-world administrative demands and ensure efficient governmental output across sectors. Moving from manual to digital documentation will not only streamline operations but will also reduce human error, making government services more responsive to the needs of the people.
However, as we embrace technology, we must be vigilant about the risks associated with digitalization. Secure digital trails and foolproof backup systems must be implemented for each ministry to ensure that sensitive information remains secure and retrievable when needed. It is essential to adopt stringent cybersecurity measures to safeguard government data and avoid the vulnerabilities associated with cyber threats, which could jeopardise both national security and public trust.
Abbas R Siddiqi
Lahore
