Projects worth Rs14b included in ADP to boost digital economy: minister

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Science Technology and Information Technology (ST&IT) and Food Muhammad Atif Khan has said that provincial government has included mega projects worth Rs14 billion in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) with an aim to boost digital economy, transparency and improved service delivery to citizens.

In a statement here on Wednesday, he said the provincial government was taking interest to materialise the dream of Digital Pakistan to accelerate economic development, social progress and acquaint the youth with emerging digital technology skills.

Atif Khan stated that Citizen Facilitation Centres (CFC) costing Rs2.70 billion would be established in all districts including newly merged districts so as to facilitate the public in getting easy access to basic services such as domicile, birth/death/marriage/divorce certificates, arms, driving licenses, and vehicle registrations.

“Establishment of Digital Economy & Skill Centre at the cost of Rs742 million at Shankar, Mardan for enhancing and equipping youth with specialised and latest IT skills, is also included in the mega projects,” said the minister.

He further said that Special Technology Zones spanning over 2,000 kanals in Mardan, for setting up special technology industries, would also be established.

Atif khan stated that Digital City Haripur worth Rs1.3 billion would be established soon, adding that the project would boost the digital economy and generate employment opportunities for youths.

Referring to the proposed Gandhara Digital Complexes at Peshawar and Swat at a cost of Rs4.06 billion, said these include IT Parks, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Incubation Centres, he added.

The minister ST & IT and Food said that for digital skills and capacity building of youth in all merged districts, the minister said Rs1 billion had been also allocated, adding that the government had also initiated ADP scheme for the same purpose in merged districts with the total cost of Rs300 million.

Atif Khan said that IT parks and digital work spaces for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), in collaboration with universities in all regions, would also be established.