‘Digital policy to transform governance in Punjab’

A digital policy is being introduced in Punjab for the first time under which the digital economy, information and communication industry and e-governance will be promoted in the province with the help of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).

These views were expressed by Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Javan Bakht while presiding over a meeting to review performance PITB organised by the Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit.

The minister said the modern monitoring system would help discourage corruption opportunities and improvement in service delivery. “Modern technology is being used to facilitate the citizens. The e-Pay, Baldia Online, Qeemat Punjab, Police Khidmat Markaz, e-Khidmat Centre, Citizen Feedback Monitoring Programme and e-Libraries are already functioning,” he remarked.

“Issues related to cybersecurity and e-commerce are being linked to the federal government. The services of the private sector will be sought for the rapid development of the IT industry. For this purpose, incentives will be given along with changes in policy and regulations.”

The provincial minister said under the Punjab Information Technology Board, e-service centres would be expanded in a franchise-style. Punjab Information Technology Board Chairman Azfar Manzoor while briefing about the performance of the institution said that in the field of e-governance and automation work on Taleem Ghar, e-transfer system for teachers, Smart Monitoring Of Development Projects, flour ledger e management system, human resource information system, the Charity Registration Portal System, e-Stamping, e-Filling and Central Prison Management System is almost completed while e-procurement system is under processes.

He informed the meeting that the PITB was also rendering services during Covid-19. Live Covid-19 Dashboard, Imdad Programme and Corona Relief Tiger Force App have been set up under Punjab IT Board.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2020.