IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Pakistan inherited the Audit and Accounts Department which was established in 1860 for ensuring public accountability and fiscal transparency in government operations. The next step was the setting up of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, which was further reinforced by the Pakistan Penal Code of 1960. The main drive for ensuring transparency started in 1999 when the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was established, followed by the formulation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) in 2002. It was partly due to the NACS, and the realisation that transparency in procurement is essential, that the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) was established in 2002.

This was the outcome of a panel discussion organised by the 56th meeting of Sustainable Development Policy Institute’s (SDPI) Study Group on Information Technology and Telecommunications devoted to the ‘Problems Hindering Broadband Growth in Pakistan’.

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif on Saturday said that the taxation system is being digitalised and that it will help in documenting the economy.

Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that the IT sector had emerged as a vital contributor to the nation’s economy.

Digital connectivity has improved as organisations invest in improving consumer experience

Digitisation is one of the key buzzwords in the post-Covid world. From online shopping for basic commodities to the digitisation of banking transactions, Pakistan has shifted towards an online mode.

The pandemic has revealed the real potential of digital payments and mobile wallets and the current environment provides an excellent opportunity for fintechs to operate and ramp up their contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

Digital technologies are set to transform the way people live and work in Pakistan. As we saw in the GSMA 2020 Digital Societies Report, which tracks the progress of 11 focus countries in Asia Pacific, Pakistan is advancing its societal, economic and digital ambition, as outlined in Digital Pakistan Vision. Indeed, our report’s digital society index tracked Pakistan in achieving one of the highest increases in its overall score.

By 2023, the economic contribution of the mobile industry in Pakistan is expected to reach $24 billion, accounting for 6.6% of GDP .In an effort to stimulate this growth, Pakistan has recently moved forward with significant mobile services tax reforms.

Punjab has traditionally been Pakistan’s most prosperous province. Known as the land of five rivers, the province is blessed with an abundance of fertile flatland, thereby giving it the overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s agricultural and industrial output. According to the latest Pakistan Economic Review, Punjab accounts for 62 percent of Pakistan’s agricultural yield and 46 percent of its industrial output, reflecting the huge impact that it has on the nation’s economy.

Not content with just sitting back and consolidating on its traditional avenues of commerce and trade, the Punjab government is forging ahead with a highly-ambitious plan to diversify the region’s economy by facilitating the spread and reach of technology, introduce e-government initiatives, and inculcate a strong element of technological entrepreneurship.

In India, the Hidden Hands of Government has managed to generate and sustain annual increases in its GDP that are the envy of developing nations around the world. Through (1) procurement policy (percentage local development & production, relevant technology transfer, relevant knowledge transfer, local R&D), (2) relevant policy on human resource development (relevant educational institutions, relevant education, relevant training, relevant research), (3) relevant policy on employment generation (local manufacturing to satisfy local demand, excess capacity for export, value added services), and (4) a policy of championing domestic companies through allocating domestic projects to generate relevant domestic experience before developing them into international stars (national-turned-international enterprises).

The other affected websites included Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, Ministry of Commerce, E-Government Directorate (EGD) and others. Sources and a number of cyber savvy professionals in Pakistan, the UK and Canada that the country’s prime cyber access point was inaccessible.

Through an application, Pakistani Citizens will be able to apply for driving license online.

The application process will be done through a mobile application called Rasta. The system is expected to speed up the process of obtaining a driving license with a significant number of Pakistani citizens set to benefit from this new step in technological development.

Each district has recently appointed an IT Executive District Officer (EDO), who will be responsible for reporting major updates on key policy issues from their district into a centralised computer network.

Addressing a seminar on CRMS, arranged by National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) at a local hotel, he said with technical support of NADRA on training local governments a catalyst change in society is expected.

Information Technology Minister Anusha Rehman urges Google team to increase engagement and presence in Pakistan

The status of development of the IT industry in Pakistan, the pace of adoption of IT technologies and a vibrant market of 200 million-plus with a major youth component, coupled with proactive policies of this government, present a huge opportunity for global corporations like Google to have local presence in Pakistan.Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman said this while taking to a high-level delegation of Google Asia Pacific, headed by Rajan Anandan, the vice president and managing director for South East Asia, in her office on Friday. The meeting was also attended by other officials of the MoIT and PTA Chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah.

After successful conversion of over 6,000 files to e-government by the Ministry of Information Technology, the government has decided to replicate this model in all ministries/divisions and attached departments in a phased manner over the next two years.

“In the first phase, we will replicate e-government in 13 selected ministries/divisions including the PM Office during the current fiscal year. After converting all ministries/divisions and attached departments, the rules of business for running the government will be amended to make electronic files legal documents,” the Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rahman said while briefing reporters here at the ministry’s office on Friday.

Under the programme, launched to facilitate the far-flung areas, the Fund had signed contracts with 6,410 mauzas, of which 3,967 contracts have been completed and 3,940 of them audited. Sources at USF on Sunday said in telecenters domain, work on 51 contracts has been completed out of total 64 while 49 such centres have also been audited. A project to establish more telecentres is also being worked out to further expand the opportunities for people.

My leader’s address to the gathering had a lot to say in a few words. It was not about rhetoric, but about solid commitment, unswerving resolve and an unmistakable belief to pull this nation out of hopelessness and despair.

The launch of an encompassing e-governance app Citizen’s Portal Pakistan on October 28th, 2018 was a welcoming call. The platform provides citizens with an alternative platform to file their complaints to Prime Minister’s office, which then directly relays those complaints to relevant bureaucracies either through the office of Prime Minister for capital territories or through the office of Provincial Chief Secretaries. It covers a range of various governance related complaints such as Municipal Services, Health, Transport Services, Communications, Law and Order, Human Rights, Energy Supply and Management, Disaster Management, Taxation and etc.

He said this during a presentation given to him by Chairman NADRA Imtiaz Tajwar prior to the signing of agreement on Biometric Based SIM issuance between NADRA and telecom operators here on Friday at NADRA Headquarters.

Chairman PTA, Dr Syed Ismail Shah also witnessed the signing ceremony.

On the directives of the Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Muhammad Atif, the biometrics system was first introduced in the secretariat and later it would be extended to the offices of the district education officers and schools in the province.