RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has agreed in principle to implement Digital Pakistan Agenda, which has not been implemented so far due to paucity of funds and non-seriousness at the top level, official sources revealed to Business Recorder.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has requested Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for taking ownership to make the Digital Pakistan Agenda a reality, official sources added.

Sources said that the PM, who is also the Minister In-charge of the IT Ministry, was informed in a meeting held on Tuesday that in the absence of top level ownership, the digital conversion, absorption and knowledge-based exports are not moving with the pace with which those of other regional countries are moving ahead.

Though there was top leadership ownership in the past, it was not activated, said sources, adding that some of the important projects including e-commerce and e-governance got delayed.

The PM in principle has agreed to take ownership and decided to constitute a top level forum. The IT Ministry would formally send a summary to the PM for final approval in this regard. Currently, the implementation of e-governance projects are in process in some ministries but IT Ministry has no mandate to force them for implementation or allocation budget.

After the constitution of the top level forum, these ministries would be asked to allocate funds and human resources for the e-governance projects implementation as well as adoption.

An official statement stated that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired meeting on Ministry of IT Affairs. Minister of State for IT Anusha Rehman briefed the prime minister about the roadmap towards digitization process aimed at human resource development in IT sector, facilitating citizens in accessing basic facilities and government services, ensuring transparency and good governance.

The prime minister appreciated the efforts of IT Ministry towards digitization and strengthening of IT sector in the country. The Prime Minister emphasized that E-governance should be promoted for transparency and efficiency.