Information highway: Rs7.4 billion for IT sector

LAHORE: The Punjab government has allocated Rs7.393 billion for the information technology sector in the budget. The figure is 30 per cent higher than the Rs5.16 billion allocation in 2013-2014. The stated aim of the allocation is to make the Punjab an IT hub through use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve delivery of public services to the citizens. The objectives envisioned for the 2014-15 fiscal include the induction of IT at all levels of government to improve efficiency, transparency and enhance the performance of government departments. This would be done through the introduction of the latest IT equipment and installation of licensed softwares to provide a reliable IT infrastructure for the government of Punjab, including a secure centralised data centre, district-level connectivity, formulation of a provincial ICT policy and action plan for short-, medium- and long-term. The policy aims to enhance investment in the IT sector through collaboration with renowned IT firms.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2014.