CM Punjab calls for promoting information and communication technologies

Says Punjab will be developed as IT hub

Promoting information and communication technologies in different sectors will ease the lives of citizens, stated Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

The chief minister expressed these views on Tuesday while presiding over a meeting reviewing the progress made on different programmes and the future roadmap of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).

The CM said that information and communication technologies will be utilised to develop the outdated system along modern lines. “The province of Punjab will be developed as an IT hub and every possible effort will be made to develop the IT sector along modern lines,” he said.

He maintained that the adoption of an e-governance and e-service delivery system in the need of the hour as both will facilitate the people.

He added that public complaints can be lodged through the Chief Minister’s Complaint Centre. During the meeting, it was decided to construct another IT park adjacent to the Arfa Software Technology Park, the foundation stone which will be laid by the end of this year.

It was also decided to introduce a computerised application for promoting tourism. The application will contain all the necessary information and other details about tourist spots in the province.

The CM said that as many as 31 services are being provided to the people through 10 Police Khidmat Centres.

Keeping in view their utility, the chief minister revealed that it has been decided to establish new khidmat centres in 27 districts. He expressed his satisfaction over the fact that 43 services are now being provided at the centres.

“Further, regional tech incubation centres will be established in nine divisions under the Punjab Innovate Programme,” he said. Buzdar said that the e-payment gateway programme will help citizens to pay their taxes and other dues online. He announced that the latest IT system has been installed in nine divisions to maintain direct liaison with the people.

Meanwhile, a smart monitoring system has also been devised and planning, funding and implementation of development projects would be possible through this, he added.

The record of employees from 42 Punjab government departments is also being digitized. During the meeting, the CM was briefed that 47,000 complaints, out of a total of 50,626 lodged through the CM’s Complaint Centre, have been redressed.

Provincial minister Yasir Humayun, PITB chairman and other officials also attended the meeting.

Message on World Senior Citizen’s Day

In a message for World Senior Citizen’s Day, celebrated on August 21, the chief minister said that elderly people are an asset and protecting their rights is society’s collective responsibility. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government has initiated a special programme for elderly citizens where a monthly allowance will be given to those older than 65.

He maintained that protecting the rights of elderly citizens in part of the government’s priorities. “The purpose of celebrating this day is to educate the youth about the problems and the needs of elderly persons,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2019.