'Automation will improve efficiency of ministries'

Besides improving the efficiency, the automation plan of federal ministries and divisions would save 5 to 10 percent of their total allocated budget.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday at Media Centre, State Minister for Information Technology, Ali Asjad Malhi said that the automation of ministries and division would save around Rs 1 billion and would also help the government in curtailing red-tapism.
Prime Minister introduced the automation plan after assuming the office last year and five projects of information technology infrastructure have been completed, he said.
The IT revolution is being patronised by all the governments all over the world to run their affairs smoothly for the benefit of masses, the minister said.
"Internet is oxygen for the prosperity of any country, so the government is committed to expand the IT network to every nook and corner of the country", Asjad Malhi maintained.
Giving the details of five automation projects, he added that some have been handed over to the concerned departments while few are in trial and the remaining ministries and divisions would be taken on-board very soon.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would be the first to operate official e-correspondence from April 1 while IT ministry would also start the e-correspondence soon, he informed the media men.
Automation of Capital Development Authority (CDA) was also in process and software to record the complaints of the residents of G-6 is being tested, the minister said. On the successful implementation of the project, the same software would be offered to the administration of Tehsil Municipal Corporations to replicate it countrywide, he added. Similarly, the applicants seeking jobs through Federal Public Services Commission would be able to apply online and register themselves permanently by the Commission, Malhi said, adding whenever, there would be any job opportunity, relevant applications would be forwarded and the applicants informed.
The press clubs around the country will be provided ten computers each while the Internet connectivity is under-consideration by the IT ministry, the minister said.
The ministry has developed a software to translate any English word into Urdu while for those Internet users who do not read or write, listening software has been developed, Malhi said.