The prime minister urged the technology board to modernize public services, making them simpler, faster and more accessible for citizens
By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reviewed reforms in the National Information Technology Board and progress on the long-delayed Islamabad Technology Park, calling for faster action to modernize government services.
The prime minister directed the National Information Technology Board to focus on providing citizens with easier, more effective and modern digital services. He said government institutions needed to work in an integrated manner so that people could access public services without unnecessary delays or complications.
Shehbaz Sharif said facilitating citizens in obtaining government services remained a priority for his administration. He directed authorities to make all government digital platforms more efficient and bring them in line with contemporary technological requirements.
The prime minister described the transition of federal ministries to e-office as one of the most important steps taken under the government’s digital and information technology reforms. He ordered that the system be extended to all subordinate institutions and state-owned enterprises working under the federal government.
He also called for the digitization of government institutions to be accelerated. Modern technology, he said, should be used fully to improve the efficiency and transparency of public administration. He further directed authorities to complete the digitization of records relating to all government properties at the earliest.
The prime minister expressed displeasure over the delay in completing the Islamabad Technology Park. He ordered the authorities to finish its construction without further delay and make the facility operational on a priority basis.
Shehbaz also directed that the operation of the technology park should be fully outsourced. The move was aimed at ensuring efficient management of the facility once it became operational. The meeting was informed that the right-sizing process of the National Information Technology Board had been completed.
The meeting also received a detailed briefing on the construction progress of the Islamabad Technology Park. Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Dr Musadiq Masood Malik and Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended the meeting along with senior officials from the relevant institutions.
