IT enabled solutions facilitating citizens, govt depts.
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The information technology-enabled solutions in the provinces have not only been facilitating citizens but are also helping ensure transparency and merit in working of the government departments.
This was informed to Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications that was held here Tuesday under the chair of Senator Rubina Khalid.
Representatives of Punjab Information Technology Board briefed the committee members about various projects undertaken by it. Most notable was the Flagship Citizen’s Feedback Monitoring Programme that is bridging the physical divide between the citizenry and government departments.
The e-Stamping and e-Khidmat Markaz projects executed by the Punjab Information Technology Board have made available online, as well under a single roof multiple government agencies are responsible for issuance and certification of documents needed by citizens on a regular basis.
The e-Rozgaar project serves as a unique solution to the needs of unemployed and self-employed youth of the province. In addition to all of this, the Punjab Information Technology Board has also successfully deployed IT enabled solutions for longstanding issues in a range of other public services.
Automated systems have streamlined the government’s Hajj Programme, Lahore High Court’s operations and driving licence issuance and management of vehicular traffic on national highways.
A Tier-III Data Centre at Arfa Software Technology Park for the consolidation of IT services deployed across provincial government departments has also been established.
The committee was also informed that all Punjab government departments have started shifting their IT services and delivery infrastructure to the Punjab Information Technology Board Data Centre. A high-tech incubator Plan9 and Accelerator PlanX backed by the Board runs a six month programme for 15 start-ups annually.
The committee appreciated the efforts taken by the Board and suggested that many of its projects must be replicated in the federal capital and other provinces.
Department of Science and Technology Balochistan informed the committee that the province’s IT Board could not be established as an independent board. The prime focus of the department is on e-governance, he said. Ongoing development projects include Quetta Safe City Project, Gwadar Safe City Project, Establishment of Digital Library and the Government of Balochistan Data Centre.
The Directorate of Information Technology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented details of a highly ambitious programme the mandate of which was to generate/promote/facilitate and regulate e-government activities. The directorate is also providing technical support to other departments in IT related activities.
The Information Science and Technology Department Sindh presented details of its programme that included video conferencing system that has been deployed at the Governor House, IT Department and all commissioner and deputy commissioner Offices.
The committee was informed that a Sindh government portal has also been established. The website provides details of citizen centric services, including downloadable forms, news, notifications, tenders, events, complaint system and rules and regulations. The e-Policing system and hospital management system for Civil Hospital Karachi have also been introduced.
