PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has said digitalisation of the government’s day-to-day business is need of the hour.

He said that digitalisation would ensure transparency in government affairs and enhance efficiency of departments and organisations.

He said that such interventions were highly required to move towards a digital economy, impart digital skills to youth and promote digital entrepreneurship and provision of online civic services to citizens for which steps needed to be taken under a well-planned strategy.

Mr Gandapur was addressing a meeting of science, technology and information technology department, said a statement issued on Saturday.

The chief minister was briefed about initiatives being taken by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) to promote information and communication technology in the province besides future plans of action in that regard.

He was told that KPITB was working on various initiatives for digitalisation of government departments, provision of online civic facilities, promotion of digital literacy, provision of digital skills to youth and promotion of digital economy.

The projects include digital governance, public service delivery, citizen facilitation centres, digital workspace, digital stamping, integrated farmer registry, supply chain management system, visitor management system, digital assessment platform, online admission system, e-payment system, online arms licence, digital entrepreneurship, talent management platform, digital skills development programme and others.

Mr Gandapur said that provincial government would move forward under its ‘digital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa vision’ and would ensure effective use of modern information and communication technology in that regard.

He directed authorities concerned to launch awareness campaign about the initiatives, especially those related to online delivery of public services, digital skills and digital entrepreneurship.

He also stressed the need for effective use of social media platforms for the purpose.

The special assistant to chief minister on information technology, Khalid Latif, the principal secretary to chief minister, Amjad Ali Khan, the secretary of science and information technology, Mohammad Ali Shah, and other relevant officials of Information Technology Board attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2024