ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed all federal ministries to complete the digitization of relevant data within the prescribed timelines and ensure its transfer to a central national data centre under the Digital Nation Pakistan initiative.
Chairing a review meeting on the programme’s implementation, the prime minister said coordinated data sharing between federal ministries, provincial governments and other institutions would be essential for improving public services and modernizing government operations.
He said the central data centre would serve as a key platform for delivering government services and making public facilities more accessible to citizens.
Central Data Centre to Support Digital Government
Shehbaz Sharif said clearly defined responsibilities for federal ministries, along with timely submission of their data, would help align the government system with modern digital requirements.
He said the Digital Nation Pakistan Programme was designed to make public services more efficient, convenient and accessible at the national level.
The prime minister added that bringing useful data from different government departments and economic sectors onto a single platform could support better policymaking and contribute to economic development.
He cited the fuel subsidy scheme for deserving citizens as an example of how data sharing among institutions could improve the implementation of public welfare programmes.
Digitization Seen as Tool Against Corruption
The prime minister said digitizing the performance records and operational data of ministries could also help reduce corruption and institutional mismanagement by improving transparency and accountability.
He appreciated the Ministry of National Health Services for working with provincial governments to establish universal medical records across the country.
Shehbaz Sharif also praised the use of QR codes to support the verification and availability of quality medicines.
Health, Agriculture Among Priority Sectors
Officials from the Ministry of Information Technology informed the meeting that comprehensive sector-wise digitization measures were being carried out in coordination with relevant ministries.
The meeting was told that basic public service sectors, particularly health and agriculture, were being prioritized to improve convenience for citizens.
The Ministry of Information Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Law, is also working to bring relevant national laws onto a single digital platform to improve access and provide better support for future legislation.
Officials said work was continuing on priority sectors in line with the government’s broader objectives of expanding digital government services, strengthening the digital economy and improving digital public facilitation.
Ministries Brief PM on Progress
Different federal ministries briefed the prime minister on their public services, institutional performance and progress in transferring relevant information to the central data centre.
A separate briefing was given on the digitization of health-sector data and the use of digital systems to verify the quality of medicines.
The meeting was attended by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior government officials.