e-Khidmat Centre: initiative taken to issue e-building permits for warehouses

In collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) has launched an initiative to issue e-building permits for warehouses from e-Khidmat Centre in Town Hall. Mayor Lahore Colonel (retd) Mubashir Javed, Secretary P&D Iftikhar Ali Sahoo and other concern officials attended the inauguration ceremony here on Friday.
The launch of issuing e-building permit from the facilitation centre is a part of the overall reform agenda that the government of Punjab has taken to facilitate both the public and investors. Through this facility a citizen can obtain construction permits from e-Khidmat Centres within 21 days.
Addressing the participants, P&D Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo said that the aim of the programme is to improve the aggregate performance of Pakistan in 'Doing Business' indicators that fall under the jurisdiction of the province, like starting a business, registering property, dealing with construction permits and enforcing contracts.
He further said the issuance of construction permits would take only 21 days instead of more than 200 days which would greatly benefit the general public and investors, and thus save precious time. "Through this initiative, the investors would be offered one-window facility, thus eliminating the need to visit various offices and reducing processing time," he added.
According to him, the government of the Punjab has embarked upon the agenda of improving investment climate in the province by improving aggregate performance on key 'Doing Business' indicators through collaborative approach, involving private sector and development partners. One of the important 'Doing Business' indicators is the issuance of building permits. Pakistan is currently standing at 141 on this indicator globally.