Government Aims to Fully Computerize Economy

ISLAMABAD: As part of a significant government reform plan focused on economic transformation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the respective ministries and institutions to fully computerize the nation’s economy on Thursday.

During a review session he presided over, the prime minister stressed that enhancing the economy and eradicating the informal sector are vital components of the government’s reform agenda.

He stated, “We are implementing these reforms in a coordinated and institutionalised fashion to guarantee sustainable change over the long haul.”

The Prime Minister also revealed the establishment of a working group to oversee the computerization effort, highlighting his dedication to modernizing the economy.

He appreciated the effective rollout of the digital wallet system utilized for distributing the Ramadan relief package and advocated for its wider adoption across various sectors.

The meeting attendees were informed that the Ramadan relief package was disbursed entirely via digital platforms, as per the prime minister’s directive. Participants also received updates on forthcoming initiatives designed to further promote economic digitisation.

A noteworthy achievement mentioned during the gathering was the introduction of an ICT application in Islamabad, which now enables access to over 150 government services.

In addition, the volume of transactions via the RAAST payment gateway has significantly increased, with the government collaborating with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to further incorporate it into everyday financial transactions.

Sharif received a briefing on the government’s five-point strategy created to stimulate digital economic advancement.

The plan emphasizes expanding digital payment options, incentivizing digital transactions for both consumers and businesses, digitizing government payments, enhancing public knowledge, and creating an extensive data monitoring system.

The meeting also highlighted that all federal government payments, encompassing salaries and invoices, are presently being handled digitally.

The prime minister directed the immediate formation of a working group to supervise the execution and oversight of these endeavors.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Cheema, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmed, along with other high-ranking officials, were present at the meeting.