No more files: Punjab govt offices go fully digital

The Punjab government has completely digitised all official paperwork across the Civil Secretariat and its various offices, marking the end of the traditional file system.

A spokesperson for the Chief Secretary’s Office, Syed Imtiaz, said the transition is comprehensive: all paper documentation is now being processed digitally. Moving forward, every file and document will be uploaded onto the new e-Filing and Office Automation System (e-FOAS).

The physical hard copy era is officially over; all traditional files have been collected from the Civil Secretariat and are being prepared for disposal. This aggressive push for digitalisation is central to the government’s good governance agenda, delivering multiple benefits.

The elimination of paper-based processes will yield substantial savings, with over 80% of the government’s stationery budget set to be scrapped — a saving of millions of rupees annually.

The e-FOAS will increase the speed of official work, replacing slow manual movement with instant digital transfers. The new system allows all files to be digitally tracked in real time, as comprehensive oversight ensures unprecedented accountability.

A key feature of the e-FOAS is its built-in alert system. If a file is unnecessarily held up in any office, an immediate alert will be issued directly to the Chief Secretary’s Office, ensuring swift intervention to prevent delays and bottlenecks.

This comprehensive digitalisation is a bold stride towards modern governance, designed to better serve the public and reinforce the government’s commitment to a more transparent and responsive administration.