2020 is set to be a year of digital revolution in KP!
The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, under the vision of a Digital Pakistan, has initiated projects to improve digital literacy and skills via training programmes. To strengthen the economy, the government of KP has established innovation labs called ‘Durshal Centres’ across the province that help establish new businesses. Moreover, the government recently launched a Digital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Logo which is part of efforts to promote KP as a progressive province in the eyes of the world. In this blog, we will discuss how the province is marching towards progress and prosperity – towards ‘Digital KP.’
Without further ado, let us get started!
Towards a Digital KP
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s digital policy covers a 5-year plan, from 2018-2023, encompassing four key areas that form the base of KP’s digital policy, which are as follows:
- Digital Access
- Digital Economy
- Digital Skills
- Digital Governance
In each category, the government has initiated various projects. We will discuss each one by one.
Improving Digital Access in KP
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa aims to provide better, affordable and reliable internet connectivity to people. The government aims to provide tax reductions on the internet to facilitate the common man and increase digital access in KP.
In a more digitally advanced KP, broadband services will be provided through optical fibre-based network in the province. Through public-private partnerships work proper digital infrastructure will be created which can support better availability of the internet to the masses.
Along with providing better access to internet facilities, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also working towards strengthening the economy by generating employment opportunities for the youth. Let’s take a look.
Creating Digital Economy in KP
In Digital KP, payment systems will be introduced to increase financial inclusion. Through digital revolution the government also aims to improve the overall efficiency of financial transactions so that payments can be made with only a click of a button.
In order to have a stronger economy and create more employment opportunities, the government encourages the launch of startups and new businesses. For this purpose, the Durshal project was launched under the aegis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB). Durshal in pashto means doorstep or gateway. These Durshal centres, which are basically innovation labs, are set up across KP – in Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar and Swat.
Through these labs, KP Innovation Fellowship Programme is run, which aims to bring about a digital revolution in the province. The KP Innovation Fellowship Programme was launched in 2014 under the partnership of Code for Pakistan, KPITB, and the World Bank.
It is a six-month programme in which fellows use digital tools to improve the performance of government departments and improve citizen-facing service delivery. On Jan 18, 2020, the graduation ceremony of the fifth KP Government Innovation Fellowship Program was held.
Enhancing Digital Skills in KP
For a digitally advanced KP, the government is seeking partnership with other stakeholders to improve digital literacy levels in the province. For this purpose, a special Digital Skills Training Programme was launched in August 2019.
Funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, powered by KPITB and executed by Abacus Consulting, Dice Consulting and VaporVM, the programme will train and educate the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on advanced digital skills.
The Advanced Digital Skills Training Programme has provided a platform to the youth of KP to help them acquire modern digital skills which can increase their chances of getting employed.
Courses are taught in different modules, providing training on Amazon Web Services (AWS Foundation and AWS Solutions Architect), Microsoft Azure and Big Data Analytics (Cloudera Certified Associate). This project is powered by KPITB, funded by UNDP Pakistan and is being executed by Abacus Consulting, Dice Analytics and VaporVM.
A Digital Internship Programme has also been initiated to enhance the skills of IT, CS and ICT graduates, so that they can find better jobs. KP’s Digital Internship Programme is for a period of 6 months. In order to apply for this internship programme, the applicant should have completed 16 years of education in any computer-related field. Those applicants who graduated in the last three years and haven’t been able to find employment are eligible to apply. However, they must also hold a KP domicile.
How Digital Governance in KP will Transform the Province
The provincial government of KP has marked 2020 as the year for digitization. The recently launched Digital KP Logo aims to attract businessmen, investors, IT experts and industrialists from across the country. The logo will not only market KP as a progressive province on the world stage but will also ensure greater transparency and improve the government’s service delivery.
To ensure greater accountability in government institutions, the provincial government has recently introduced reforms in its police department. In February 2020, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan inaugurated the e-first information report (FIR), Roznamcha (daily diary) and digitisation of the human resource management system of the Central Police Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Under the e-FIR and Roznamcha system, people can easily report any crime incident either online. You can also receive the FIR’s copy through WhatsApp or via email.
The total number of police is 109,556, out of which the data for 76,278 policemen has been digitized under the vision of ‘Digital KP 2020.’
So, this was the latest information on digitization in KP. If you want to receive information about such initiatives by the government, then subscribe to the Zameen Newsletter appearing on the right-hand side of the page. Remember, KP is also known for its breathtaking beauty, so if you are a traveler looking for options to stay in the province, you might want to explore these camping pods in KP. For more updates, stay tuned to the best real estate blog in Pakistan. Don’t forget to write to us at blog@zameen.com and we will surely get back to you.
