TRANSPARENCY and government are two words that if phrased, become as contentious as it gets. But thanks to the miracle of the Internet, it is now possible to bring these two together on a single platform of deliverability. In a world that is increasingly becoming digitized, there is no reason for the government to be bound together by the shekels of paper and the related bureaucracy. It is time to move on and the next step of evolution for the government is e-governance.
The concept is not as wild as our thoughts can get. Quite simply, e-governance is the promise that the you don’t have to be in any capital city to be at the helm of the seat of power. A desktop computer is all it takes. Or, if you want a better insight into what exactly we are talking about, then log onto the most referred free encyclopedia in the world: Wikiedia.
Here, at its E-Government page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EGovernment, it explains eGovernment as the use of information and communications technology in the internal processes of government and the delivery of government products and services to citizens and industry. “Many of the technologies and implementation issues involved are the same or similar to those in private and voluntary sector e-business, while others are specialized or unique to the demands of government,” it adds. There are a number of subheadings here and quite a lot of information on the concept.
Another site with a swig at explaining e-governance is the E-Government Home at http://www1.worldbank.org/publicsector/egov/. The difference here is that this site focuses on e-government in developing countries. Case studies are presented here as a source of ideas and learning. Each follows a common structure, assessing government strategies and experience with e-government tools. You can view any case study by the help of a simple click. Indeed something different.
E-governance is something that has been the focus of attention for the government of Pakistan for sometime. To that end, the E-Governance Directorate, Pakistan http://www.e-government.gov.pk/ was established sometime back. Actually, it was 2002 when the EGD was established in pursuance to a decision of the federal cabinet.
Converting the former Information Technology Commission, the Government formed the EGD as a cell within the Ministry of Information Technology. The aim of the EGD is: Implementation of different projects related to the Electronic Government (E-Govt) Programme; Provide technical advice & guidelines for implementation of E-government projects at the Federal, Provincial and District levels; Plan and prepare Electronic government projects; Provide standards for software and infrastructure in the field of Electronic Government; To undertake any other assignment matter that the government may direct.
One of the main principals of the IT Policy and Action Plan that was approved by Government of Pakistan in August 2002, the government will be an enabler and facilitator in the field of IT. It is on the basis of this principal that the EGD plans to implement different e-government projects. A very positive and visionary step by any measure if you ask me.
Apart from the EGD, events, conferences and seminars take place in the country that bring to light the promised virtues of e-governance. One particular conference that is being organized in Pakistan, is the Third International Conference on E-Governance http://web.lums.edu.pk/iceg2005.
The conference aims to provide a platform to government officials, scientists, faculty, practitioners and students across the globe to present and deliberate on their research findings, experiences, strategies, policies, technologies and case studies in the field of e-governance. This annual event has previously been held in Pakistan’s South Asian neighbours, India and Sri Lanka. Like the previous two years, the conference is a unique opportunity for not only to share research findings and experiences, but also to interact with the major information technology solution providers, government officials and NGOs.
The web site has all relevant links working. Also present are the last dates for the submission of papers for the conference. So if you think you have something that you would want to voice to the world, hurry before it’s too late.
Speaking of Sri Lanka, the government there, with the help of global IT giants like Oracle, who are also partners in the project, has launched the eGovernment Centre of Excellence. Though based in the pearl island, the centre is working on the global principles of e-governance; to foster social integration, peace, economic growth and poverty reduction with the help of IT. A good online resource for a subject that promises to do more for the offline world, by staying connected.
E-governance may not bring an immediate end to poverty. Or solve our day-to-day issues, like erratic water and electricity supply. But it definitely holds the promise, that at least if we need to file our Income Tax returns, we can do it by simply logging on to a website and from the comfort of our home, take care of the job, even if it is midnight.
TRANSPARENCY and government are two words that if phrased, become as contentious as it gets. But thanks to the miracle of the Internet, it is now possible to bring these two together on a single platform of deliverability. In a world that is increasingly becoming digitized, there is no reason for the government to be bound together by the shekels of paper and the related bureaucracy. It is time to move on and the next step of evolution for the government is e-governance.
E-governance is something that has been the focus of attention for the government of Pakistan for sometime. To that end, the E-Governance Directorate, Pakistan 
