ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has been informed that around nine e-Khidmat Centres have been established so far, and the network would be rolled out to all the districts of the Punjab by 14th Aug, to facilitate the developer and builders with the objective of accelerating construction activity, and thereby, increasing economic activity.

An official said the weekly meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on housing and construction sector was briefed on Thursday on the effectiveness of a web-portal that has been established by the governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to provide online platform for permissions and NOCs. The meeting was told that the portal was aimed at offering digital solutions to the builders to ensure expeditious processing of the applications within stipulated timelines.

The prime minister was informed that the web-portal was linked with all relevant offices for simultaneous processing of the applications by concerned offices. Live dashboard is available with the chief secretary to monitor the progress of ongoing applications and to take notice of delayed cases.

The prime minister appreciated the initiative and directed that the online system of the NOCs and permission be adopted by all the provinces. An official said the representatives of the builders and developers assured the prime minister of their keen interest in making investment in the construction sector as incentives offered by the government, and decrease in discount rate, have made the construction sector attractive for investment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020