IT services market in Pakistan is expected to increase by 12.58% from 2024 to 2028, reaching a total market value of US$ 4.98 billion in 2028. Pakistan Government knows how powerful information technology can be. To improve the lives of Pakistani citizens, the Government of Pakistan has started a number of large scale IT projects across multiple fields. National Information Technology Board was created on 11th August 2014 through the union of the Electronic Government Directorate (EGD) with the Pakistan Computer Bureau (PCB).

Since then, the National Information Technology Board has been working to implement e-governance to speed up the accessibility of information and services delivered to the public through ICT conveniently and cost-effectively. In this research article, Tashheer’s research team compiled a list of the top 10 IT projects started by the Government of Pakistan to improve connectivity and ensure cybersecurity.

List of Pakistan’s Top 10 Government-Backed IT Projects

Here is the list of top 10 programs started by the government of Pakistan, listed as:

e-Passport

This e-passport Project was launched on 30 March 2022 to replace traditional paper-based passports with secure and convenient electronic passports. Immigration & Passports department has introduced this e-passport and it was inaugurated by the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan. The first e-passport was handed over to the Prime Minister by the Interior Minister, Mr. Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad. With nearly 29 new security features, this e-passport marks the biggest upgrade in Pakistani travel documents since 2004, as Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed highlighted. Mr. Islam Zaib, the Director General of Immigration & Passports, briefed the Prime Minister about the new e-passport during the inauguration. These passports feature enhanced security measures, including bio-metric identification and chip technology. Citizens can apply for e-Passports online and track their application status throughout the process. Pakistan e-Passport holders can enjoy the convenience of using the e-gate facility at all airports around the world. If you are an international traveler and are worried about money transactions, then you can read our blog FBR Just Launched a Currency Declaration App for International Travelers

e-Stamp Paper System

Stamp papers are usually used to pay taxes on important documents like leases, agreements, receipts, and court papers. There are two kinds of stamps: Judicial for court documents and Non-Judicial for things like property transfers and business agreements. On 26 December 2016, the Punjab Government introduced e-stamping, a web-based system to collect stamp duty and issue stamp papers. This system was successfully launched in collaboration with the Board of Revenue, Government of Punjab, across all 36 districts. The main aims of this intervention were to stop fraud with papers and processing practices, prevent loss of government revenues, and create a centralized database. It has benefits like stopping property undervaluation, cutting administrative costs, reducing the chances of fake stamps, making it easier to check and get stamp duty information and providing a safe and clear way to pay stamp duty. Because this program worked so well in Punjab, the Revenue Boards in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa copied the same plan in 2022, with help from PITB.

M-Tag (One Network Toll System)

M-Tag is a widely used electronic toll collection system operating across Pakistan’s motorways and highways. It was launched by the Government of Pakistan in 2021. M-Tag is a pre-paid RFID chip or sticker you put on your car’s windshield and it has money stored on it. When you drive close to a toll booth, the scanner there checks how much money you have and where you entered. When you leave, it takes the toll fee off automatically. This way, you don’t have to wait in line to pay the toll. This system is used in other places too, like Dubai. It eliminates the need for cash at toll plazas, providing a convenient and efficient way to pay tolls. If the chip gets damaged, you can get a new one for free. Starting in 2024, the NHMP (National Highways & Motorway Police) has announced that M-Tag is a mandatory requirement for all automobiles on motorways. This decision’s main aim is to make it easier for drivers to enter and exit motorways, ensuring smoother traffic flow. You can also read our article on 6 longest roads and highways in Pakistan.

IRIS 2.0

Recently, the head of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced IRIS 2.0 on 27 July 2023. It is an improved version of the tax filing system created by Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL). IRIS 2.0 is a large step forward in tax administration with improved user experience, enhanced efficiency, and cost-saving for the FBR. The FBR improved its tax operations with the help of Chairman FBR, Member IR Operations, and Member IT. They changed technologies, updated the PRAL culture and made PRAL teams work better. Upgrading to IRIS 2.0 will make tax filing faster and cheaper for the FBR. By upgrading the IRIS 2.0, the FBR will improve its tax filing operations to achieve greater efficiency and significantly reduce hardware expenditures. Ultimately, the better user experience will lift overall user satisfaction making IRIS 2.0 a valuable plus for FBR. For registering your software company with PSEB read the article How to Register your Software Company with PSEB

Driving License Issuance Management System

The Driving License Issuance Management System is a software platform that makes the process of issuing driving licenses easier. It is used by traffic police departments to modernize the process and manage data related to driver licensing. DLIMS permits applicants to submit their online applications, which saves resources and time for both applicants and the authority. The system also eases document verification, including medical tests, background checks, and driving tests guaranteeing that only those who meet the requirements get a license for a Car, Bike, or whatever you want . Its core features may include Online Appointment System, e-Testing System, Biometric Authentication, Card Printing Solution, Online Verification and Improved Data Management & Analytics. It saves time and keeps records of over 5 million licensed drivers. It also stops fake actions and identity theft by checking documents and comparing information in various databases.

Pakistan Citizen’s Portal

The Pakistan Citizen’s Portal (PCP) is a nationwide platform launched on 28 October 2018, where people in Pakistan can share their complaints with the government. It started as a mobile app owned by the government to help citizens express their grievances. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018 launched this program and now it operates under the Prime Minister’s Performance Delivery Unit (PMDU). The Pakistan Citizen’s Portal was ranked as the second-best government app at the World Government Summit in Dubai. This recognition comes out of 4,646 mobile applications from 87 countries. The Pakistan Citizen’s Portal started offering its web services and helpline in September 2020. It also allows users to provide constructive suggestions for improving government policies and processes.

eKhidmet Markaz

The e-Khidmat Markaz (e-Khidmat Center) is a government initiative in Pakistan that aims to provide citizens with a convenient and efficient way to access various government services under one roof. Some commonly offered services by eKhidmet Markaz may include character certificates, general police verification, driving license renewal, vehicle registration, CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) renewal, address verification, passport application assistance, utility bill payments, birth and death certificates, and marriage registration. So, PITB initially set up e-Khidmat Centers in each main area of Punjab. Right now, there are 13 e-Khidmat Centers in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Lodhran, Faisalabad, Lahore (2), Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sialkot, and Chakwal and they are up and running. These e-Khidmat centers have successfully helped over 4 million citizens with a 99.9% success rate.

Police Management System

PSRMS is a smart and automated system made by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to make everything at police stations digital including FIRs. The Police Management System (PMS) is a helpful platform that makes police work easier and better. Because people trust the police more, the number of FIR registrations increased by 85% in six years, going from 396,000 to 710,000, and caught more than 1000 high-value targets. This system is now used in over 1500 police stations and offices all across Pakistan. Its features may include a unified justice system, police resource optimization, criminal database, secure data storage, modern analytical tools, multilingual user interface, and digital record-keeping. Its main aim is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of police operations through automation and streamlining of processes. This system offered Public services which may include online license DLIMS 2.0, online complaints management system, women help, most wanted terrorists, criminal record holders, domestic criminal servants

e-Pay Punjab

ePay Punjab is the first government payment aggregator in Punjab, created to make it easier for people to handle their finances. It is a joint effort by the Punjab Finance Department and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). This system helps manage payments from businesses to the government (B2G) and from individuals to the government (P2G). Connected to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and all banks through the 1-Link network, ePay Punjab lets people use various electronic payment options to pay their taxes. Since its launch in the fiscal year 2019-2020, it has expanded to cover 26 different levies across 11 departments in the Punjab region. Users can make payments through multiple channels including Internet Banking, Online Banking, ATM deposits, Mobile Wallets, TELCO Network Agents, and Over-the-Counter (OTC) payments at branches of all commercial banks in Punjab. This platform supports an extensive range of government related payments such as taxes, fees, dues, charges, fines and donations.

See more: Elevate Your International Transactions with These Top 6 Banks in Pakistan

Beep Pakistan

Pakistan is moving towards digital independence by introducing Beep Pakistan, a new messaging app created locally. Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) Syed Amin Ul Haque on August 2023 launched Beep Pakistan. This project was started in 2020, and a public rollout nationwide is expected within a year. Some of its notable features may include strong security protocols and a broad range of options such as secured messaging, document sharing, high-quality audio/video calling, and conference capabilities. Baber Majid Bhatti, the CEO of the National Information Technology Board, sees this app as a platform to improve communication and efficiency in government departments. People are using this app as a substitute for the commonly used WhatsApp for instant messaging and calls. It provides a secure and encrypted platform for government communications, reducing the risk of data leaks.

Highlighting Pakistan Government’s Top 10 IT Programs

The projects and their collective details are given below.

Final Words

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) is the main ministry in Pakistan that plans, coordinates, and directs efforts to start and manage Information Technology and Telecommunications programs. As of the latest statistics, government has invested a big amount of more than USD 2.5 billion in some IT projects. In this research article, our Tashheer research team compiled a list of the top 10 IT projects launched by the Government of Pakistan. This shows their dedication to push Pakistan towards a digital future.