E-Governance as a Roadmap to Good Governance: A Digital Punjab Perspective

Abstract

A new wave of technology hit at the turn of millennium which inspired millions around the world to utilize information technology in their daily lives. Governments have also started taking technological initiatives, as it makes their processes cost and time efficient – but the question remains, does e-governance make the government activities transparent as well? What is the level of accountability in the e-governance mechanism? Innovations in the government processes are flowing easily after the advent of e-governance. Even though there is a huge digital divide between the rural and urban areas of Pakistan, which consequently translates into slower implementation of technological services, in backward areas, the Punjab Information and Technology boards is taking leaps in delivering the public service which spans but is not limited to the health, education and law and order sectors.

An analysis of E-governance in Pakistan from the lens of the Chinese governance model

“…In 2003, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) introduced an electronic ID card system that enabled citizens to obtain secure and computerized national identity cards [ 56 ]. Similarly, in 2004, the government launched the “e-Police” project in Islamabad to digitize police records and improve the efficiency of law enforcement agencies while in 2005, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) was established to promote and implement e-governance initiatives in the province of Punjab [ 57 ]. Pakistan has been also taking steps to promote e-governance in the country at national and subnational/provincial levels.…”