IfG.CC - The Institute for eGovernment

The Internet which stands as a primary communication medium of today’s electronic age is surely the catalyst behind improving Government information and services framework, a phenomenon of e-Government.

In simple words e-Government is ‘use of information and communication technologies to encourage more capable cost effective Government functionaries, facilitate more handy service, allow greater access to information and make government more accountable to citizens’.

He was presiding over a meeting which reviewed the progress of different IT projects of his Department, says a statement issued here on Monday. It said that the Minister was not satisfied with the progress E-Government Pilot Project and issued directives that the project should be completed and launched by August 31 this year so that the government can switch over from manual to electronic office system.

This was stated by the Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi (KU), Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, here on Wednesday. Dr Qasim was delivering the presidential address on the occasion of the certificate distribution ceremony of a 15 day workshop. The event, titled `Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Political Science’, was organized by the Department of Political Science, University of Karachi.

This was stated by the authority chairman, Saleem Ahmed Moeen, here on Sunday while speaking at a seminar.

He was talking to journalists after launching the CNIC Verification Service through SMS and NADRA’s newly designed website at NADRA headquarter.

Speaking at the occasion, State Minister for Information & Broadcasting Mr. Syed Sumsam Ali Shah Bukhari said that the Government of Pakistan has a strong believe in utilizing Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to move into the era of electronic service delivery (e-Services) by simplifying procedures, and making credible and timely information available to all the citizens at all levels. The electronic access of information will improve the productivity and efficiency of public and private organizations. This would ultimately contribute to economic activities and bring benefits to the country. He further said that the government is committed to promote freedom of expression and access to information in the greater public interest. The State Minister congratulated Chairman PTA and his team, on the development of such an informative portal for Pakistan. He said that it will bring plenty of information not only to the residents and ex-patriats Pakistanis but also to the foreigners visiting Pakistan.

The projects approved at the meeting cover the training of government servants, end users, system administrators, and the setting up of a resource centre. During the meeting, the federal minister for IT directed the Pakistan Computer Bureau (PCB) to aggressively launch the training of government servants throughout the country.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz who chaired the Cabinet meeting here directed the Ministry of Information Technology to integrate automation Plan with processes because the world is moving with much faster speed than the speed of the file in the government offices, “Automation will give leading edge in governance”.

The Cabinet asked the Ministries to appoint focal persons, not below the level of Joint Secretary, who will coordinate with the E-Government Directorate for the computerization of the respective Ministries.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the slow pace of the progress, the Prime Minister directed that it should be accelerated.

Briefing the media, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said the Election Commission had already been advised to study the available models of electronic voting in other countries and develop a plan for using latest technologies for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in a smooth manner.

He said capabilities and the quality of the civil services, can be further enhanced through capacity building programmes and by introduction of E-Governance.

“E-government would not only improve efficiency but also cut down costs. There is a need for leveraging strategic partnerships with China for improvements in public and social sectors through the use of technology especially ICTs”, he said.

A senior official at the IT and telecom ministry said the prime minister, who also headed the National e-Government Council, had directed the ministry to initiate the project within a month with sources and techniques available in the country.

It would be the first time in Pakistan that a satellite service would be used to monitor the performances of hospital staff in Pakistan. Earlier, doctors used this kind of technology but only to give live consultation to patients.

According to a source, it has also been decided that the PITB would be run on a corporate basis, and its chairman would be hired from the market, and he would be answerable to the chief minister.