By Muhammad Luqman

Punjab’s digital transformation is gathering pace as the province expands e-governance platforms, digitises government-to-business services and promotes online payments, making public services more transparent, efficient and accessible, according to Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Faisal Yousaf.

In an interview with Wealth Pakistan, Yousaf said greater digitisation of procurement, auctions and business-related government services was reducing unnecessary human intervention and helping improve transparency and efficiency.

He said PITB’s flagship initiative, e-Biz Punjab, provides businesses with a single-window, end-to-end digital platform for obtaining registrations, licences, certificates and other permits.

“Businesses can now apply online, undergo digital scrutiny, pay fees, receive approvals and digitally track their applications without visiting government offices,” Yousaf said.

The platform also offers automated alerts, escalation mechanisms, QR-verified digital certificates and a feedback mechanism.

“It has also been integrated with the recently launched Maryam Ke Dastak to address people’s grievances and complaints,” he added.

Yousaf said e-Biz had simplified regulatory processes and helped reduce the traditional red tape associated with public-sector approvals.

For example, documentary requirements for building plan approval were cut from 21 to six, while the number of departments involved in approving petrol pumps dropped from 10 to two.

“Under the e-Biz initiative, 176,243 applications have been received. Of these, 146,025 applications have been successfully processed,” he said.

Digital payments are another major component of Punjab’s expanding e-governance ecosystem.

Yousaf said PayZen, a secure digital payment solution, enabled businesses to manage digital invoicing, payments and cash flows through a web-based platform.

“It has facilitated 9.912 million transactions, with a total collection of Rs75.4 billion, supporting businesses in adopting secure and efficient digital payment mechanisms,” the PITB chairman said.

For government-related payments, e-Pay Punjab provides an integrated digital platform for paying government fees, taxes, levies and other public-sector charges.

The platform has so far processed 147 million transactions, with total payments exceeding Rs1,508 billion, helping promote digital transactions while reducing reliance on cash and manual payment processes.

PITB has also digitised traditional auction processes through e-Auction, enabling bidder and contractor registration, auction creation and listing, online bidding and digital completion.

Yousaf said the system had improved transparency, traceability and efficiency in auction processes.

Similarly, e-Procurement has streamlined government procurement through automation, standardisation and greater transparency.

The system has facilitated procurements worth more than Rs402 billion, including Rs25.32 billion in completed procurements, while procurements worth Rs376.912 billion are currently in progress.

Yousaf said these initiatives were helping build a more digitally enabled, transparent and business-friendly ecosystem in Punjab, making government services more accessible while creating greater opportunities for businesses and citizens to participate in the digital economy.

PITB’s digitalisation efforts have extended beyond Punjab, with the board supporting the automation of services in other provinces.

“PITB has connected and shared data with other provinces for vehicle registration, tax collection and administrative services such as the Domicile Management System,” Yousaf said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk