Digitising public services is an important need in the tech-driven 21st century that not only makes governments more effective, but also increases citizens’ participation. In Pakistan’s most populated province, the district administration is all set to adopt emerging technology to produce better results for its people.
The full transition to digital platforms, scheduled under the Punjab Local Government Act (PLGA) 2019, is expected to be completed over the next few weeks.
The change, one official said, will encourage people to engage with the governance system more actively. Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, Local Government and Community Development Department Secretary, said,
“The new system would help empower people in Punjab by increasing their involvement in all administrative affairs”
Once completed, 12 new Management Information Systems ( MIS) will be implemented by the government.
A computerised Financial MIS, Annual Development Program MIS, Municipal Assets MIS, E-bid and E-auction MIS, Complaint Redressal MIS, Building Control MIS, Solid Waste Management MIS, Water Supply and Disposal MIS, E-billing MIS, Daak (mail) MIS and Performance MIS are included in the long list.
Dr. Qazi, sharing the transition plan, said that the government is all set to launch an online application. Baldiya is an online application developed with the assistance of the Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
“The application would provide people with direct access,” he said. The transition to digital platforms would, once completed, decrease human dependency and increase productivity. Without visiting the offices, the application would allow people to report most issues remotely. “If they can remotely fix problems, this is a wonderful idea,” one resident said. “Nothing better than that is there,” he said.
The latest programme would be easy to use, according to officials.
It will allow people to register using their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) remotely. Once NADRA verifies the information, a confirmation will be obtained by the customer.
There have been small measures taken by the province towards digitisation. In 2017, the government of Punjab digitalized the rural land records of the province.
For many years, the provincial government has been at the forefront of combining new technologies with government services. In many policy speeches, the prime minister has spoken about the use of emerging technology. Punjab seems to be heading in that direction, according to experts.
