Aitizaz Hassan ISLAMABAD, March 24 (INP-WealthPK): The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has proposed that the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) allocate Rs138.87 million to strengthen the IT infrastructure of the President Secretariat. The total duration of the project is 36 months from the date of administrative approval. The National Information Technology Board (NITB) will be responsible for executing the project. The PC-I — prepared by the MoITT and NITB — has proposed an allocation of Rs108.063 million for the current Fiscal Year (2021-2022), Rs15.065 million for FY 2022-23 and Rs15.737 million for FY 2023-24. The proposal is based on 'Digital Pakistan Policy 2018' to implement the concept of e-government in Pakistan. The PC-I has proposed hiring 13 officials including project manager, assistant director (AD) of information security, AD networks, AD system/E-office, AD finance and accounts, AD graphic designing, AD video editing and IT support engineer with assessed salary cost of Rs37.442 million. Similarly, the hardware equipment will cost Rs30.595 million, IT equipment Rs18.600 million, software Rs33.490 million, furniture Rs2.420 million, operating expenditure Rs6.3482 million and the annual operating and maintenance Rs10 million after completion of the project. The PC-I has proposed provision of essential hardware, including branded desktop PCs, laptops, scanners and printers, for the employees of President Secretariat for smooth daily operations. In terms of software equipment, licensed software of VSphere 7.0, MS-Office, MS Project 365 E3 and antivirus is planned, while revamping of President Secretariat website, project management system, document management system, federal ombudsmen app/dashboard, visitor management system and calendar management system is also proposed. The first phase of the project was started in March 2017 and successfully completed in June 2020. The NITB helped different government organizations access hardware, licensed software, LAN deployment with active and passive equipment, and server room establishment with furniture and equipment under the 'Digital Pakistan Policy 2018'. 'Digital Pakistan Policy 2018' is an idea of the Ministry of IT & Telecom to expand e-governance in the country. The policy promotes e-governance to make Pakistan a frontrunner in good governance through the IT enablement at all levels. According to the NITB officials, there are numerous economic benefits of enhancing the ICT infrastructure of the President Secretariat. It will increase the public sector capacity and efficiency of government business processes and productivity of government employees through a convenient workplace environment. The project will help reduce the conventional paper work and improve access to information services delivery.