IT Strategy 2020

With the understanding that IT sector will create immense economic, social and governance benefits for the people of Punjab, the vision 2020 of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi revolves around the idea to make Punjab the hub of Information Technology (IT), and aims to:
-- Work in collaboration with the Information Technology industry, academic institutes and the government representatives on the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to automate and implement state of the art IT infrastructure and streamline business processes.
-- Bring about change by leveraging technology to develop and implement a citizen-centric e-Governance framework.
-- Bridge the digital divide between the east and west by means of latest technology, reliable and robust infrastructure and adept human resource.
-- Work in collaboration with multinational IT companies to propel the local economy towards continuous economic growth.
Potential of the IT sector to generate employment opportunities is tremendous. While there has been some growth in the establishment of Call Centres, this is an area which requires focused attention. The idea is to develop the IT industry in a manner which provides opportunity for the talented professionals of the Punjab to provide complete IT solutions to the challenges of the global economy.
For this purpose, the Government of Punjab has already entered into an agreement with Microsoft. The Government of Punjab is committed to the development of Software Technology Parks which would bring global IT Professionals and companies to the Punjab.
The Punjab Government through PITB has launched the Phase-I of the construction of the Software Technology Park at Ferozepur Road Lahore. The Phase-II is planned on state land in Harbanspura, Lahore. The private sector is also being encouraged to establish Software Technology Parks in the Punjab. The Government believes that these Parks would launch the Punjab into 21st Century in a real manner.
STEPS TAKEN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IT STRATEGY
-- Overall the Punjab Government will spend over Rs 9.0 billion in the IT sector in the next 4-5 years, which will give a big boost to local IT industry and will create over 20,000 IT and IT-related jobs in the province.
All of this has been possible due to well thought-out policies of the Punjab Government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.
-- The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has developed software and computerised various Government departments including Chief Minister's Inspection Team (CMIT), Punjab Relief Department, Anti Vehicle Lifting Operations of CIA, Criminal Record Operations (CRO) of Punjab Police, Special Branch of Punjab Police, Punjab Privatisation Board, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, I&C Wing of S&GAD, Tourism and Resort, Ombudsman Punjab, Punjab Police Patrolling Post (Pilot), Planning & Development Department and Children Library Complex.
-- PITB developed a software application and web portal for "Support-a-Family Program" to carry out the task of provision of relief to earthquake victims in an expeditious manner by implementing this software application. In addition, PITB has computerised the Punjab Relief Department in order to enhance the communication among all sectors operative in provision of relief operations.
-- The Punjab Government through PITB has launched a mega IT training project under the umbrella of "Demand Training" to train thousands of citizens throughout Punjab. The PITB has been conducting trainings, workshops, seminars and conferences to promote IT and IT enabled services throughout Punjab. The PITB provides subsidy of 50%-80% on training costs to private sector Punjab. The objective of this project is to provide high quality and varying fields of the IT sector. Demand Based Training caters to the needs of every citizen in Punjab including teachers, students, government officials and individuals from the private sector. This is another Project of the Government of Punjab that is being offered for the benefit of a common man.
-- The Punjab Government has been offering intermediate in Computer Sciences (ICS) and Associate in Computer Science (ACS) through public-Private-Partnership in 350 colleges throughout Punjab.
-- The Punjab Government through PITB has signed an MoU with Microsoft, which will bring foreign direct investment of 10.00 million USD and create thousands of jobs in Punjab. Under the terms of the agreement Microsoft will invest 10.0 million USD in Punjab over the next 3 years by opening software development centers in Punjab, creating IT labs, offering FREE training courses, and providing free software to schools, colleges and universities.
-- With the help of Punjab Government, PITB has initiated the Outstanding Talent Development Scholarship (OTDS) Program by awarding scholarships for BS, MS and Ph.D degree programs, scholarships are for a complete BS, MS and Ph.D degree programs, freshly admitted, Punjab Domiciled. The disciplines that are covered under OTSD include Computer Science, Information Technology, IT Management, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Telecommunications.
-- OTDS covers the full academics fee of the student along with the monthly stipend of Rs 3,000/ month for B.Sc., Rs 6,000/ month for M.Sc. and Rs 12,000/ month for Ph.D Programme.
-- In observation of past difficulties pertaining to poor land record management and lack of automation, the Government of Punjab has decided to take and initiative such as automation of the Land Revenue Management Information System (LRMIS). Financed by the World Bank, valued at approximately six billion rupees over a span of estimated five years, LRMIS will manage and track all the process involved in land acquisition which are currently maintained manually within concerned districts and villages. LRMIS will enable citizens to enquire about their land records via the internet and World Wide Web. Besides automating all processes, LRMIS will also handle the inter linkage of all registers and forms for verification and active updating.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE:
-- Transparent and efficient access of land records to the citizens.
-- Low transaction costs of obtaining Fard and other land records.
-- Increase the level of public confidence in the veracity of record of rights.