Digitising management system enhances service delivery, says minister

LAHORE:Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman announced that digitising the management system was enhancing service delivery. Reforms under the Punjab Resource Improvement and Digital Effectiveness Programme (PRIDE) have significantly increased budget use and tax collections, he added.

Upcoming pension reforms and e-procurement initiatives were expected to further improve financial management. He emphasised the need for tax departments to self-assess their performance and hire qualified consultants when necessary, based on their experience and technical expertise.

The minister shared these insights while presiding over the seventh meeting of the Steering Committee on Public Financial Management Reforms in the Finance Department's committee room. He instructed the tax collection departments to identify their consultancy needs.

The meeting aimed to review the progress of the PRIDE programme and approve the future course of action. Attendees included Secretary Finance Mujahid Sherdil, Additional Secretary Finance, head of the Public Finance Management Unit Ms Samia Mukhtar, members of the Punjab IT Board and officers from the line departments.

The head of the Public Finance Management Unit briefed about the complete digitisation of all tax collection departments under the PRIDE programme. Online apps were being introduced to improve public service delivery and facilitate easier access to government initiatives and services, the meeting was told.

Over 400 new ACs installed at LGH

On the special directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, more than 400 new air-conditioners were installed at Lahore General Hospital for patients.

Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute Prof Dr Muhammad Al-Fareed Zafar said the air conditioners will provide relief to patients and health professionals will also be able to provide better treatment services to them.

He lauded the efforts of Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique in this regard. MS Dr Faryad Hussain said the LGH management is trying to provide the best treatment facilities to people. Talking to reporters, Prof Al-Fareed Zafar said the CM had taken revolutionary steps in the province and health was her top priority. He said the CM had started initiatives to provide relief to patients at their doorstep and both ministers Khawaja Salman Rafiq and Khawaja Imran Nazir are striving in this regard. He said the CM’s Field Hospital Project and Clinic on Wheel have given rise to new trends in the province.