ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced the full digitisation of Hajj services starting this year, aiming to simplify the process for pilgrims.
Speaking at a review meeting on National Information Technology Board (NITB) affairs, the PM emphasised that technology should make it easier for citizens to access government services.
During the meeting, which focused on the ongoing developments in government digital infrastructure, he praised the Ministry of Information Technology and associated departments for their efforts in launching the Easy Service Centre in Islamabad.
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This new initiative is designed to streamline government services for citizens.
Sharif also stated that a meeting will soon be convened to discuss a QR-based feedback system for overseas Pakistanis, highlighting the government’s focus on improving services for the diaspora.
In a briefing to the PM, NITB officials claimed that following the appointment of a new chief executive officer (CEO) Faisal Iqbal Ratyal, the organisation is undergoing restructuring to better align with contemporary technological needs.
They confirmed that preparations for the Easy Service Centre – designed to provide citizens with easier access to a wide range of government services in one central location – are complete, and it will soon become operational in the capital.
Additionally, officials highlighted several forthcoming projects, including the launch of a secure application for all government institutions, and a comprehensive “one patient, one ID” system for hospitals, aimed at ensuring better service delivery and improving hospital performance. The latter system is in its final stages of development.NITB is also working on an analytics dashboard for the judiciary, which will utilise big data to enhance efficiency in the legal sector. The board currently manages over 145 government websites, 126 portals, and 31 mobile applications.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shiza Fatima Khawaja, and other senior government officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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