LAHORE: Special Assistant to Punjub Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the government has laid great emphasis on e-governance and is extensively using technology to improve efficiency and ensure transparency.
Dr Firdous said this while addressing a press conference flanked by Punjab Minister for Higher Education & Information Technology Raja Yasir Humayun at Arfa Software Technology Park on Thursday.
She said that Punjab is witnessing significant progress and development in the field of information technology and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) is playing a vital role in the creation of job opportunities for the youth. Providing support and creating a conducive environment for the IT and other related sectors has been among the top priorities of the government, she further said.
She maintained the government has established e-Rozgaar centres across the province to enable the recent graduates to polish and monetize their skills and enhance their professional capabilities.
The special assistant stressed that the ‘E-Building Plan’ project has been implemented in Punjab for ease of doing business under which plans for commercial, residential, industrial and semi-commercial buildings will be approved in 30 days.
She further said that the opposition’s announcement for a ‘million march’ by the opposition is not for the public but only to save its billions of dollars looted from the national exchequer.
Dr Firdous maintained that the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) politics, ranging from resignation to long march, foreign funding case to rally against Israel, has now reached a dead end.
The SACM said the government has summoned a National Assembly (NA) session on Friday and the time has come to show and prove how serious the opposition is in submitting its resignations to the speaker, adding that these self-interested people have no courage to resign.
Dr Firdous said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s announcement to telecast live proceedings of foreign funding case has deflated PDM’s balloon because everything will be exposed before the general public.
She said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has submitted the lists and receipts of its donors to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) now it is the opposition parties’ turn to reveal the source of their funds.
She questioned where PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s properties – worth billions of rupees – came from, adding that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief was blackmailing for his share in the government.
Responding to a question, she said, “Our coalition partners are our strength and Chaudhary brothers are an integral part of the PM’s consultation conclave. We will not only contest the Senate elections together but will also defeat opposition.”
Speaking on the occasion, Raja Yasir Humayun said that information technology is being used to improve governance and facilitate masses in the province. He said that citizens can avail numerous facilities by using a single mobile application developed by the PITB.
Humayun said the government has launched ‘e-Pay Punjab’ mobile application for tax collection adding that this is a step towards a transparent system for which the Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a promise with the people.
