IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

The intersection of technology and urban planning can help address Pakistan’s population growth and development challenges

As we approach World Population Day on July 11, technological innovation is reshaping global population trends.

Where does Pakistan stand in terms of healthcare, education and urban planning when it comes to technology to rewrite the narratives of population?

The SECP annual report 2011-12 has highlighted the importance of launching of low-fee company concept, to encourage corporatisation and give incentives to non-corporate entities to enter into the corporate sector.

The SECP report has said that one of the focuses of the regulator in 2012-13 is to strengthen the equity market with introduction of a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) board.

Pakistani society is going through a transformational phase. All sectors of society are ready for uplift towards digitisation. The fields of health, justice, education, jobs, empowerment and infrastructure can all be drastically improved through digital initiatives.

Digital ecosystems are the backbone for delivering these ambitions. The development of IT parks, incubation centres and open access to services could turn out to be a baseline for growth and progress.

Over the last year, the pandemic has caused the global economy to shrink at an unprecedented level. At the same time, one trend has accelerated worldwide: Going Digital! As countries face repeated lockdowns, school closures, and shutdowns of entire industries, digital capabilities — whether for online schooling, e-commerce or work from home are the new essentials.

If there were any lingering doubts about the necessity of digital transformation to business longevity, the pandemic has silenced them. In a contactless world, the vast majority of interactions with customers and employees must take place virtually. With rare exception, operating digitally is the only way to stay in business through mandated shutdowns and restricted activity. It’s go digital, or go dark. The pandemic is a reality check for businesses that have been reluctant to embrace digital transformation and now find themselves woefully unprepared.

According to the report, Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy, Pir Mazhar ul Haq made the announcement during a meeting of senior officials of the education department. The new system, according to the minister, is aimed at controlling the drop-out rate of students, and to manage the attendance of absentee teachers.

The government has decided to constitute "Data Protection Authority" that will work to curb the misuse of data and protect the personal information of the citizens.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommun-ication has drafted "Personal Data Protection Bill, 2020" and sought feedback from all stakeholders by June 15, proposing up to 25 million rupees fine for those who processes or cause to be processed, disseminates or discloses personal data and sensitive data in violation of any of the provisions of the proposed legislation. The proposed legislation was drafted back in 2018 but delayed due to one or the other reason.

She said this during a meeting regarding the PSDP IT Project "HMIS at tertiary Health Care Level" at Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex. It was explained in the meeting that presently the main core software modules of the health management information system application have been successfully developed and functional at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. The training has already been imparted to the hospital staff, said a press release. It is important to mention here that the said PSDP project was originally approved by DDWP on October 28, 2005 but unfortunately in the past, minimal progress was made on the said project.

The sources told Daily Times that the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2013-14 envisages starting of some new projects. The emphasis will be on human resource development, IT industry development, e-government, and infrastructure development.

The government plans to initiate National ICT Scholarship Programme. The target for the year is to provide about 400 students with scholarships for 4-year Bachelor’s degree programme in various national universities.

Minister of State for Information, Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman said on Tuesday that the government was determined to provide telecom facilities to every nook and corner of the country.

"As per the directive of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Universal Service Funds (USF) funds would be used to provide best telecom services to remote areas with transparency," she said while taking to PTV.

The Minister said the system is being introduced for automation of core businesses of the government to ensure efficiency, accuracy, effectiveness and good governance, transparency and accountability in decision making and delivery of efficient and cost-effective services. The main purpose of the e-office replication module is to promote less paper and digital government. The Executive Director of National IT Board (NITB) informed the meeting that roll out of e-office suit is in progress in nine Federal Ministries and Divisions which includes Prime Minister Office, National Assembly Secretariat, Finance Division, Planning Commission, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Cabinet, Establishment and Economic Affairs Division and subsequently, it will be implemented in other ministries and divisions in a phased manner.

Government has directed all ministries and their allied departments and the regulator bodies to put their policies, guidebooks, filing of applications, specimen documents, online tracking system and online complaint management system on their respective websites before the start of next financial year.

An official source said that the government plans to announce major incentives for starting new businesses in the budget for the next financial year. The source added that the government wants to reduce the time taking process for starting new businesses because this budget is to be an election-year budget.

The government has decided to constitute ‘Data Protection Authority’ that will work to curb the misuse of data and protect the personal information of the citizens. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has drafted ‘Personal Data Protection Bill 2020’ and placed on its website for public opinion, proposing up to twenty-five million rupees fine for those who process or cause to be processed, disseminates or discloses personal data and sensitive data in violation of any of the provisions of the proposed legislation.

The proposed legislation will govern the collection, processing, use and disclosure of personal data and to establish and making provisions about offences relating to the violation of the right to data privacy of individuals by collecting, obtaining or processing of personal data by any means. Whereas it is expedient to provide for the processing, obtaining, holding, usage and disclosure of data while respecting the rights, freedoms and dignity of natural persons with special regard to their right to privacy, secrecy and personal identity and for matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto.

Pakistan Point News - 27th May, 2018 ) :The government has planned to establish an indigenous facility for development of satellites in accordance with international space standards under its annual development plan for 2018-19.

The facility - pakistan Space Centre will have capability to carry out manufacturing, testing, system level assembly, integration, launch and operations of various types of satellites. As per Information and Communication Technology Annual Plan 2018-19, major thrust includes that Pakistan Multi-Mission Satellite (PakSat-MM1) will cater to demand of Direct-To-Home (DTH), High-Throughput Services (HTS)/Broadband Internet and Strategic SatCom. The PC-II has already been approved and during next year, PC-I will be submitted for approval and subsequent execution of the project.

Minister of State for Information Technology, Anusha Rehman said on Wednesday that the vision of the government is to become a strategic enabler by making the full use of Information and Communications Technology (ICTs).

This will accelerate digitization eco system, with an aim to expand knowledge based economy and spur socio economic growth.

In the spirit of democratic governance, revolutionary policies and visionary approach, present government gives very high priority to the ICT sector, particularly e-governance, she added.

Secretary Midhat announces Journalism, Mass Communication Department in any AJK university

The Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) government has announced that the Right to Information law would also be implemented in the state as it has been enforced in other provinces of Pakistan.

Talking to journalists here, AJK Information and Tourism Secretary Midhat Shahzad said that she believes in access to information to promote the healthy journalism in the society and make all departments accountable.

An official of Ministry of Information Technology told that security of the data hosted on PTCL’s servers would not be an issue as the application is 128 bit encrypted and only less-secure files will be placed on the servers.

Ministry of Planning and Development has planned a government-to-government talent exchange programme under its Civil Service Reforms initiative to enable partner nations to exchange their best talent with each other.

The innovation and knowledge exchange visits have also been planned to learn the best civil service practices and reforms process experiences from other countries which include Malaysia, Mexico, South America and Europe.

Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said that having achieved the economic stability, the government would now fully focus on the digitization of the government functioning to curb corruption, introduce digital payments and ease out public difficulties besides bringing transparency.

Addressing the launching ceremony of Digital Pakistan initiative here, the Prime Minister said his government should have started the program far earlier but during the first year, all of its focus remained on stabilizing the national economy that had been achieved finally.

Government’s top adviser on civil service reforms Dr Ishrat Hussain unveiled the variety of changes being made in the country’s bureaucratic structures and systems from civil servants’ induction, recruitment, training, performance, promotion, compensation and retirement to institution building, devolution, accountability and service delivery.

Dr Hussain shared with The News details of the Imran Khan government’s vision on civil service reforms to improve government’s performance for the progress and prosperity of the country and its people. The salary raise to government servants will be given on the basis of performance, present pension system is being changed to defined contribution mechanism, CSS system is being overhauled, specialists or non-cadres officers are being given more opportunities to grow and serve better, more posts in grade 17 and above are being created, e-governance is being introduced to cut lower staff etc.

Planning and Development Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has underscored that Gwadar will be transformed into a developed and smart port city of international standards with effective urban strategies.

He was chairing the Steering Committee meeting on Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan in Islamabad today.