ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to launch the DigitalTransformation Initiative Programme for digital infrastructure, citizenservices and other e-government services to boost Information Technology(IT) sector and significantly enhance its precious foreign exchangecontribution to the national kitty.
The party intends to provide maximum facility to people throughdigitalization of various departments in order to increase transparency,saving people’s time and energy.The PTI, in its manifesto has given priority to the IT and telecom sectorin view of its importance to national economy, also plans to establish aCentralized Knowledge Economy Authority (CKEA) with an objective to makingInformation Technology (IT) the top contributor to exports and job creation.
The Authority, having statutory powers for procurement, policies andregulations, will be headed by a CIO who would ensure that a connected andshared eco-system is developed aligned to central strategy in partnershipwith industry that can provide basis for digitalization not currentlypossible due to isolated and fragmented approach.
The CIO will also provide expert leadership and will be from private sector.This is to ensure that the authority works with a more agile mindsetcompared to existing government bureaucracy.
The Party has introduced its official Digital Policy under a Vision totransform Pakistan into a knowledge economy.A Digital Policy document has revealed that strategic guidance will beprovided by a committee chaired by Prime Minister, comprising CabinetMembers and Membersfrom the industry.
A centrally led hybrid governance model is proposed where provinces willalso appoint CIOs who will be responsible to align provincial digitalpolicies and programmes with national programme.
A Council comprising CIOs from Federal and Provincial Governments will beestablished on sidelines of Council of Common Interests (CCI) and will meetquarterly to review progress and resolve conflicts/issues.The document said PTI would leverage technology to create jobs, increaseexports and curb corruption.The party has set an ambitious target of increasing Pakistan’s IT exportsto US $10 billion over the next 5 years.
It has been further proposed that to boost the IT industry of the country,the Party would focus on National Digital Transformation Initiative ande-Government and plans to initiate projects worth US $ 2 billion.
The projects will focus on reducing corruption, providing services tocitizens and creating and enhancing capacity of the industry.A public-private partnership model will be employed to execute governmentprojects.E-government is going to be a core focus of the PTI and the model will beused to increase transparency.An open government data policy will be in effect to allow citizens to auditthe government’s performance.
As with any project that aims to increase digitalization, focus will beplaced on data privacy.In addition, projects and policies will be launched to increase Pakistan’scyber security capacity. – APP