All resources to be utilised to make KP digital economy hub: minister

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Science and Information Technology Shafiullah Jan said on Wednesday that all available regital economy hub

He said this during his visit to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) where he inspected the FinTech Unit and other sections and reviewed various ongoing projects

KPITB Managing Director Dr Akif Khan briefed the provincial minister in detail on digital governance, cashless government payments, digital skills training for youth, employment opportunities in the IT sector, digital public services and other ongoing initiatives

Shafi Jan congratulated KPITB on securing two international awards as well as several national-level recognitions, and said that the promotion of information technology would play a pivotal role in the economic development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the province had been given a Digital Vision 2030, adding that all available reub of technology and the digital economy

The provincial minister said that digitization of public services was being pursued on a priority basis to ensure convenient delivery of government services to citizens at their doorstep

He said 48 government services had been digitized while another 400 government services were planned to be digitized by December 2026

The minister was informed that the Dastak app was enabling citizens to access a range of government services from home, including driving and arms licences. A new version of the Dastak app was also being launched, which would provide access to 146 government services through a single platform

Shafi Jan directed that the cashless government payment system be further strengthened and expanded, emphasizing that modern digital payment solutions would enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in government transactions. The briefing revealed that PAYMIR had enabled digital payments for 319 government services across 34 departments, making Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the leading province in the country in the digitization of government payments.

Shafi Jan said that, in line with the vision of founding chairman Imran Khan, equipping the youth with modern digital skills was among the government’s key priorities. Under the employment-oriented skills development programme, a target of training 27,500 youth had been set while 16,300 youth had already received digital skills training. He directed that further effective measures be taken to connect the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the global IT market and create better opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and business. The provincial minister was further informed that the Khyber Pass had been launched to provide citizens with easy and secure access to multiple government services through a single digital identity.

He was also briefed on projects aimed at strengthening IT infrastructure and promoting the digital economy in the province. Three IT parks have been established across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including one in Dera Ismail Khan, while Software Technology Parks in Peshawar and Mardan have been completed

Source: www.thenews.pk