Monitoring of remittances through NITB: SBP gives go ahead for setting up of int'l payment gateway

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reportedly given go ahead for establishment of international payment gateway to monitor remittances through National Information Technology Board (NITB), well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

This information has been shared with the federal cabinet at a recent meeting when the performance of NITB came under discussion.

Chief Executive Officer, National Information Technology Board (NITB) gave a presentation to the Cabinet on performance of his organization. He stated that a couple of Ordinances regarding revamping of NITB Charter and data nervous system have lapsed whereas some other legislation is stuck at different levels.

During discussions, some of the members were of the view that instead of centralizing the IT services and support, Ministries/Divisions should establish in-house expertise, bespoke to their particular needs.

The challenge of changing the mindset to adopt e-governance was also highlighted. While referring to the slow transformation to e-governance and e-office, it was opined that NITB was only an enabler; it was for the Ministries/Divisions to embrace the new procedures and technology.

The need to improve the efficiency of the system was, however, underscored by almost every member of the Cabinet. It was also opined that NITB has created only a facade and there is no depth or capacity created within the departments to become IT enabled. It was emphasized that IT reforms should percolate down below to the lowest layer of each department to reap the fruits of digitization. It was further suggested that NITB has focused on paperless actions rather than focusing on E-governance.

A query was raised on the status of two projects, namely, Anti-Money Laundering and International Payment Gateway. It was apprised that the International Payment Gateway was delayed as State Bank of Pakistan had not provided the compliance matrix. However, the go ahead from SBP had now been received and, accordingly, the work on the project had been initiated. It was however, acknowledged that NITB has contributed to NCOC work on creating databases and digitization of NGOs registration at EAD.

The Prime Minister expressed concern over slow implementation of the projects highlighted by the N UB and directed that all bottlenecks hampering the fast-track completion of these projects should be removed.

The Cabinet took note of the presentation delivered by the CEO, NITB and decided to constitute a committee to look into the issues impacting on the Board's performance and to submit recommendations to the Cabinet within 15 days. The Committee would comprise the following members: (i) Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Establishment -. (Chairman); (ii) Secretary, Cabinet Division; (iii) Secretary, IT & Telecommunication Division and; (iv) Chairman NITB.

The committee will review the financial and legal issues involved in tasks assigned to NITB and suggest the way forward.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020