PM orders shifting 50pc public cargo to Gwadar

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday explicitly instructed the authorities concerned to bring 50 percent of all public sector cargo inland via sea through Gwadar port.

Shehbaz issued these directives while chairing a review meeting on Chinese investment here, where he was briefed on the Chinese experts’ delegation visit to Pakistan from July 30 to August 6, 2024.

The forum was told that the Chinese delegation met representatives from various ministries, which offered suggestions to enhance cooperation in their respective fields. The visit resulted in significant progress in cooperation and investment across trade, energy, agriculture, information technology, communication, and infrastructure.

The forum was informed that the Chinese delegation engaged with top leaders of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry during their visit. It was briefed that Chinese experts would be enlisted for technology transfer, removing non-trade barriers, and boosting the country’s exports.

The meeting was informed that sectoral roadshows would be organised in various Chinese cities to boost exports of Pakistani products. Additionally, Chinese experts will be engaged for technology transfer, upgrading electric vehicles, electro-medical devices, and other sectors.

The meeting was told that a Chinese auto spare parts company has recently advanced significantly in establishing its plant in Pakistan. Efforts are underway to facilitate land leasing for special economic zones. Additionally, Pakistani students and researchers will receive agricultural training in China, with 572 applications already received.

The prime minister instructed that students from all provinces should have equal opportunities to participate in this training. The prime minister directed the creation of a committee, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reform Ahsan Iqbal, to oversee the transparent selection of Pakistani students and researchers for agricultural training in China.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Investment and Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Industry and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Federal Minister of Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh and relevant senior government officials attended.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to ensure timely completion of all projects of IT sector. He was chairing a meeting here in Islamabad on Monday to review the information technology IT projects and implementation of the measures to increase IT exports. Expressing satisfaction over the progress on IT Park project in Islamabad the prime minister said this project will significantly increase domestic IT exports.

The prime minister said citizens should be encouraged to use mobile applications for government services. He said it will prove to be a milestone in achieving the target of IT export of twenty five billion dollars.

The meeting was briefed that work on IT Park project is underway at a fast pace and the Korean company collaborating on the project has reduced its completion period from June to February next year.

The meeting was also briefed about the digital smart cities project being launched in Islamabad initially to provide easy access to citizens to 150 services through the Islamabad City Super Application under the project services of Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Islamabad Police, Health and Education departments will be available to citizens through a mobile application. The meeting was told that the services of the federal government will be made available across the country through mobile application in the final stages.

The meeting was also briefed about the performance of the IT sector in the last five months during which IT exports have increased by 30 percent, compared to last year. In the last five months three lakh students have registered for training in IT skills programmes, while four new incubation centers were also launched during this period.

The meeting was also given a detailed briefing on investment in various projects of IT sector and step by step increase in IT exports from them. Earlier, In a bold move to modernize the country’s governance, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a directive making it mandatory for all federal ministries and divisions to switch to the E-Office system, abandoning manual filing systems.

The decision comes after several government departments failed to fully adopt the electronic platform, despite clear instructions issued in March 2024. The prime minister expressed deep concern over the delay, citing the need for enhanced efficiency, transparency and accountability.

All ministries and divisions have been given two weeks to fully implement the E-Office system, with a scheduled review meeting of the Secretaries Committee to ensure compliance. This move marks a significant step towards a fully digital government, streamlining operations and improving service delivery.

The mandatory switch to E-Office is seen as a major milestone in the government’s efforts to embrace technology and enhance public service. By going digital, Pakistan aims to reduce bureaucratic red tape, increase transparency and provide citizens with faster and more convenient access to government services.

As the country moves towards a more modern and efficient governance model, citizens can expect improved delivery of public services, reduced corruption and increased accountability. The E-Office system is a key component of this vision and its mandatory adoption marks a significant step forward for Pakistan’s digital governance agenda.