Page 14 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2024)

E x c lus iv e I nt er v iew

E-O ce introduces a digital workplace solution that:
Walk-in services remained a priority for individuals, Additionally, we collaborate closely with relevant
• Eliminates Paper Dependency: Replaces manual with 11,500 attestations processed in person. governmental agencies to conduct additional security
le handling with an electronic system. Islamabad led the initiative, accounting for 48,267 assessments and stress tests, ensuring that each digi
• Enables Real-Time Collaboration: Files can be attestations, followed by Lahore with 10,810, solution meets both operational and regulatory
updated, shared, and accessed by authorized users Karachi with 4,534, Gujrat with 2,596, Peshawar benchmarks. By leveraging advanced monitoring tools
instantly. with 680, and Quetta with 22. This initiative has not and continuous improvement practices, we ensure that
our platforms remain scalable and responsive to the

NITB's digital strategy is anchored on
only streamlined administrative procedures but
“ three core pillars: Digital Society, • Ensures Data Security: Digital storage with audit also delivered tangible bene ts to the Pakistani increasing demands of a dynamic digital environment.

trails for every transaction.
This holistic, layered security strategy is instrumen
diaspora by reducing bureaucratic hurdles at

Digital Economy, and Digital • Guarantees Data Integrity: Regular backups and embassies worldwide. maintaining the trust of government stakeholders and
Governance. In enhancing the Disaster Recovery Systems (DRS) protect against Long-term Strategic Interventions citizens alike, while supporting Pakistan’s broader v

accessibility and e ciency of digital data loss. of a secure, e cient, and resilient digital future.
public services, the Digital Society Key Bene ts of E-O ce a) Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP): ICMA: What key challenges does NITB face in
advancing Pakistan’s digital transformation?
Recognizing the imperative to fortify Pakistan’s
initiative takes center stage by Key Bene ts Details digital infrastructure, NITB is at the helm of the DEEP CEO NITB: NITB’s journey toward a digitally empowered

transforming how citizens interact Active Users Over 6,760 government employees initiative, aligned with the 2018 Digital Pakistan visionary digital policies into actionable initiatives. This Pakistan is confronted by a triad of interlinked

with government services leveraging the system. Policy under the Act of Digital Nation Pakistan (DNP). dynamic transition empowers us to serve as the executor challenges:
This ambitious project seeks to construct a holistic
through innovative, user-friendly Data Resilience 500 million documents securely enterprise architecture, integrating disparate of strategic plans that drive transformative change a) Protracted Technology Rollout: The cycle of

digital solutions “ stored and backed up. government databases and systems into uni ed across all government tiers. conceiving, securing approvals, and deploying new
Cost Savings Rs. 300 million saved annually on e-government service portals. In a historic move, the Moreover, by bridging the gap between strategic policy technologies is inherently lengthy. Traditional

Dr. Babar Majid Bhatti Time E ciency stationery. pilgrimage logistics. This digital solution streamlines establishment of the Pakistan Digital Authority formulation and practical implementation, the Board governmental procedures, while methodical and
systematic, are often mired in bureaucratic inert
80% reduction in operating time.
under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act signals a new

ensures that the digital revolution permeates every facet

CEO, National Information Enhanced 80% increase in organizational the entire Hajj process by o ering a fully integrated era in regulatory oversight for digital transformation. of government operations. The Board’s e orts are pivotal This extended timeline is misaligned with the rap

pace required for digital transformation, thereby
online registration system that caters to both
This body is tasked with ensuring that the nation’s
Productivity
e ciency.

in establishing robust digital public infrastructure,

Technology Board (NITB) By orchestrating these strategic tiers, NITB not only citizens and government agencies. The platform digital initiatives are executed with precision, catalyzing inclusive economic growth, and positioning impeding the swift delivery of e cient publi

services. To bridge this gap, there is an urgent

incorporates dynamic modules for real-time
acc
transparency, and accountability. In collaboration
streamlines digital initiatives across diverse complaint management, allowing complaints to be with key agencies such as the Board of Investment Pakistan as a forward-thinking leader in the global digital to streamline these processes, embracing agile
arena.
governmental and provincial frameworks but also sets a logged, monitored, and resolved with unparalleled (BoI), the National Database and Registration methodologies and innovative governance models
ICMA: How is NITB leading the digital transformation b) Digital Economy Transformation: Recognizing the benchmark for excellence in digital governance. Its e ciency, alongside modules for nancial Authority (NADRA), and Ignite National Technology We are not just policy architects but transformative that can expedite decision-making and in

of government institutions in Pakistan? transformative power of technology in economic holistic and integrated approach ensures that every management, visa processing, ight booking, and Fund, DEEP is poised to catalyze inclusive and executors, rede ning the contours of public sector IT implementation. tra
governance, NITB leverages innovative digital segment of society bene ts from enhanced accommodation. Enhanced features, such as sustained growth. This transformative endeavor not management and setting new benchmarks for e ciency b) Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) Pak
CEO NITB: Pakistan’s Information Technology landscape solutions to modernize nancial and administrative technological connectivity, laying the foundation for dynamic complaint categorization, call center only enhances the quality and accessibility of public and innovation in digital governance. Imperatives: Digitalization doesn’t just exceed
is inherently devolved, with provinces steering their own processes. This initiative aims to reduce systemic sustainable socioeconomic progress. Through integration, and geolocation-enabled services, services but also bolsters resilience against potential mere automation of existing work ows; it ICM
digital transformation. In this dynamic ecosystem, the challenges such as corruption and fund innovative partnerships, robust policy frameworks, and a empower both pilgrims and administrative sta . socio-economic shocks. ICMA: How does NITB ensure the security, reliability, necessitates a fundamental re-engineering of pl
National Information Technology Board (NITB) has mismanagement, ensuring greater nancial relentless focus on service excellence, NITB is rede ning With over 36,000 complaints successfully managed and scalability of government digital systems? business processes. This holistic transformation
emerged as a pivotal catalyst for nationwide digital transparency and integrity. the contours of digital transformation in Pakistan, since its launch, this initiative has garnered Through these meticulously crafted initiatives, NITB is requires rethinking and redesigning legacy system
integration. Granted full autonomy on August 16, 2022, steering the nation toward a future marked by e ciency, international acclaim from the Saudi government for setting unprecedented benchmarks in e-governance, CEO NITB: The National Information Technology Board and operational models to unlock true e ciency
NITB evolved from its earlier status as a department c) Government Digitalization: At the core of its inclusivity, and resilience. its role in optimizing accommodation logistics, ensuring that both citizens and government entities (NITB) prioritizes security, reliability, and scalability as and innovation. However, there is a notable mer
under the Ministry of Information Technology and strategy, NITB implements cutting-edge digital scheduling, and overall operational e ciency. bene t from e cient, transparent, and future-ready foundational elements of its digital solutions. Every reluctance within the public sector to over
Telecommunication (MOITT). It was originally solutions to enhance governmental operations, ICMA: What major initiatives has NITB undertaken to digital services. system is architected with "security by design," ensuring entrenched practices. The challenge lies in op
established in 2014 through the merger of the Pakistan improve e ciency, and foster transparency. This improve e-governance and service e ciency? b) Apostille System: Addressing longstanding delays that robust safeguards are integrated from the initial overcoming cultural resistance and developing
Computer Bureau (PCB) and the Electronic Government transformation enables a more agile, responsive, in document attestation, NITB has digitized the ICMA: What is NITB’s role in formulating and stages of development. This proactive approach mindset that is receptive to change. Implementing
Directorate (EGD). NITB’s mandate is to architect a and accountable public service system. Apostille process for the Ministry of Foreign A airs executing national IT policies and regulations? mitigates risks and forti es our infrastructure against robust change management strategies and eac
cohesive, uni ed digital landscape that not only bridges The best example of digital transformation of (MoFA). This globally recognized system, established CEO NITB: The National Information Technology Board evolving cyber threats. demonstrating the tangible bene ts of BPR are c
the federal-provincial divide but also propels Pakistan government institutions in Pakistan is the E-O ce. under the Hague Convention, eliminates the (NITB) stands as a cornerstone in the evolution of To guarantee system resilience, NITB implements a critical to achieving this transformation. int
toward a robust, technology-driven future. The E-O ce is a transformative digital application designed cumbersome queues and delays traditionally Pakistan’s digital framework, playing an instrumental role rigorous, multi-layered testing framework. This includes res
organization’s approach is strategically segmented into to help government departments transition to paperless associated with academic and o cial document in both crafting and operationalizing national IT policies comprehensive internal testing protocols to identify and c) Public Sector Capacity and Workforce ove
three core tiers: veri cation. Between July 8 and December 31, 2024, remediate vulnerabilities early in the development cycle, Adaptability: Adaptability is a signi cant hurdle
operations. By replacing manual le handling with an by seamlessly integrating with leading courier and regulations. As one of the founding members of the prevailing resistance among public servant
a) Digital Society Initiatives: NITB is dedicated to e cient electronic system, it enhances internal services—such as Leopards, which emerged as the Digital Nation Pakistan, NITB is charged with architecting a followed by stringent external audits conducted by toward adopting digital change. This skepticism i
empowering citizens by delivering seamless, e ciencies, accelerates decision-making, and ensures most frequently used service with 23,122 deliveries, uni ed digital ecosystem that transcends provincial certi ed third-party security experts. This dual-phase often rooted in concerns over job security and a
state-of-the-art digital services that enhance public secure document management. Short-term Interventions: followed by ECS with 9,841, TCS with 9,025, Gerry’s divides and ensures cohesive national progress. validation process not only con rms compliance with general lack of digital literacy. The current wor
engagement, simplify access to government international security standards but also reinforces the wit
resources, and promote civic participation. a) Hajj App and Portal: NITB’s pioneering Hajj app and with 6,599, and M&P with 3,995—this system has The National IT Board’s mandate has evolved from mere integrity of our digital ecosystems. while experienced, is not su ciently tech-savvy t
portal represent a paradigm shift in managing expedited the attestation process. policy advisory to active execution, thereby translating fully harness the potential of modern digital too

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