PM aims to revamp govt monitoring thru real-time digital oversight

Published June 18, 2026 Updated June 18, 2026 07:37am

• AI-based system will strengthen governance and boost transparency, accountability
• To connect federal ministries with Prime Minister’s Office through centralised digital platform

ISLAMABAD: Halfway through his five-year constitutional term, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to transform the government’s monitoring mechanism through real-time digital oversight to improve service delivery and public perception.

The move is part of the Digital Nation Pakistan Initiative, whose monitoring model has already been finalised by the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA).

The initiative coincides with media reports about a potential reshuffle in the federal cabinet after the federal budget for 2026-27 is passed by parliament later this month.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Press Information Department (PID) said Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema chaired a meeting “to review the Prime Minister’s Office System (PMOS), an innovative AI-powered platform designed to strengthen governance, enhance coordination and improve monitoring of government initiatives across ministries and departments”.

Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Kha­waja, IT Secretary Zarrar Hasham Khan, PDA Chai­rman Sohail Munir, and senior officers from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and relevant ministries attended the review session.

During the meeting, officials from the PDA presented a comprehensive demonstration of the PMOS, the statement added.

“The participants were briefed on the system’s advanced features, highlighting its ability to connect all federal ministries with the Prime Minister’s Office through a centralised digital platform.”

It stated that the “system enables real-time monitoring of tasks, projects and milestones, ensuring gre­ater transparency, acco­u­ntability and efficiency in government operations”.

The participants were informed that directives issued by the PMO would be communicated instantly to the relevant ministries and departments through the platform.

“The system will also facilitate immediate progress tracking and performance monitoring, allowing decision-makers to remain updated on the status of key assignments and initiatives.”

Key features

Elaborating on the key features of the system, the PID said PMOS had an automated alert mechanism that highlighted overdue tasks through pop-up notifications on the accounts of federal secretaries and other concerned officials.

“This feature is expected to significantly improve the timely execution and follow-up of government directives.”

The meeting was also briefed on a sovereign AI-based GPT-powered research system developed by the PDA.

The statement said the tool had been designed to support internal research by utilising previous directives, decisions and official orders, enabling faster access to institutional knowledge and informed decision-making.

It further said the GPT system would also act as a virtual assistant for government officers, with a proper understanding of official procedures and workflows.

“It will be capable of assisting [with] and completing official tasks assigned by officers through the use of artificial intelligence, thereby enhancing productivity, efficiency and service delivery across government departments.”

Meanwhile, Mr Cheema appreciated the PDA’s efforts in developing the AI-powered PMOS and acknowledged its potential to modernise public-sector governance.

He directed relevant stakeholders to “further refine and enhance the system to ensure maximum effectiveness, user-friendliness and operational efficiency before its wider implementation”, the press release said.

“Pakistan is progressing towards an AI-based digital governance system aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and public service delivery,” the minister was quoted as saying.

“The PMOS will serve as a key facilitator in the implementation of the National Digital Masterplan by strengthening inter-ministerial coordination and digital integration,” he added.

Mr Cheema said citizen-focused digital services already being delivered through platforms such as Asaan Khidmat Markaz and other digital forums were part of the government’s broader reform agenda.

“Initiatives such as digital tax enforcement systems and other technology-driven governance solutions will continue to expand, contributing to a more modern, responsive and accountable public sector,” he added.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen governance, improve service delivery and promote a more responsive and accountable government framework, the press release said.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026