LAHORE, Sept 29 (ABC): Punjab’s e-Biz platform has processed 146,025 business applications out of 176,243 received, as the province expands digital services for registrations, licences, certificates and other permits.
Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Faisal Yousaf told Wealth Pakistan that e-Biz Punjab gives businesses a single online platform to apply for approvals, pay fees and track applications without visiting government offices.
“Businesses can now apply online, undergo digital scrutiny, pay fees, receive approvals and digitally track their applications without visiting government offices,” he said.
The platform also offers automated alerts, escalation mechanisms, QR-verified digital certificates and a feedback mechanism. Yousaf said it had also been integrated with Maryam Ke Dastak to address grievances and complaints.
e-Biz reduces paperwork, approval requirements
He said e-Biz had simplified regulatory processes and reduced paperwork. For building plan approvals, the number of required documents had fallen from 21 to six. Similarly, the number of departments involved in approving petrol pumps had dropped from 10 to two.
“Under the e-Biz initiative, 176,243 applications have been received. Of these, 146,025 applications have been successfully processed,” he said.
Yousaf said Punjab was also digitising procurement, auctions and government payments. The initiatives aim to reduce unnecessary human intervention and improve transparency and efficiency.
PayZen, a web-based platform for digital invoicing, payments and cash-flow management, has facilitated 9.912 million transactions involving Rs75.4 billion, he said.
Meanwhile, e-Pay Punjab has processed 147 million transactions involving government fees, taxes, levies and other charges. Total payments through the platform have exceeded Rs1,508 billion.
Yousaf said e-Pay Punjab was helping reduce reliance on cash and manual payment processes.
Digital procurement, auctions expand
PITB has also introduced e-Auction, which allows bidders and contractors to register and view auction listings online. They can also place bids and complete auction processes digitally.
Yousaf said the system had improved transparency and made transactions easier to track.
The board’s e-Procurement system has facilitated procurements worth more than Rs402 billion. This includes Rs25.32 billion in completed procurements, while procurements worth Rs376.912 billion are in progress.
Yousaf said these initiatives were making government services more accessible. They were also creating greater opportunities for businesses and citizens to participate in the digital economy.
PITB extends data connectivity beyond Punjab
PITB’s digitisation work has also extended beyond Punjab.
“PITB has connected and shared data with other provinces for vehicle registration, tax collection and administrative services such as the Domicile Management System,” Yousaf said.
