Rs16.5b sought for IT, telecom projects

Budget will cover development, non-development expenses of IT ministry

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has sought Rs16.5 billion for its new and ongoing projects in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2023-24.

The overall budget includes development and non-development expenses of the IT ministry and its affiliated institutions. The non-development expenditure has a share of Rs10.5 billion in the overall IT and telecom budget.

The ministry has asked for allocation of Rs6 billion for 28 development projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

The ministry is demanding financing for the digitisation of the presidency, Senate, National Assembly, General Data Protection Regulation Compliance Management System, completion of Smart Office projects in federal ministries and departments, construction of four knowledge parks in different cities and establishing software technology parks in different districts.

The IT and telecom ministry has sought an allocation of Rs90.3 million for project monitoring and digital transformation and Rs230 million for the ongoing Smart Office projects in federal ministries and departments.

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It has proposed allocation of Rs20.24 million for information and communication technology infrastructure in the presidency and Rs190 million to enhance the quality and autonomy of the industry in various cities.

An amount of Rs40.58 million has been requested for the One Patient-One ID project while Rs500 million has been demanded for the ongoing projects to make the Senate and National Assembly cyber-efficient.

It has recommended allocation of Rs150 million for the certification of IT professionals and Rs50.14 million for the General Data Protection Regulation Compliance Management System.

The Information and Communication Technology Internship Programme may be earmarked Rs180 million while Rs100 million may be given to the Smart Capital Project through the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

The ministry needs Rs250 million for the ongoing projects of 25 Software Technology Parks and Rs160 million for the existing projects of Karachi IT Park.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2023.

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