Ahmed Khan Malik

In a significant move, the Sindh government has initiated a comprehensive digitalization strategy to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across the provincial departments, reports WealthPK.

The Information, Science and Technology Department has been directed to develop and implement an E-Office application to replace traditional manual filing with electronic correspondence, promoting a paperless environment in government operations.

The initiative aligns with the Sindh Government Rules of Business, emphasizing transition to digital systems to improve administrative functions. “The rollout of the E-Office system will occur in phases,” Sajid Tunio, Director of the Information Technology Department, told WealthPK.

Initially, the system will be deployed in nine departments: Information, Science and Technology; Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities; Minorities; Social Welfare; Rehabilitation; Mines and Mineral Development; Inter-Provincial Coordination; College Education; and Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA).

The training programs for officers have commenced to ensure effective adoption of the new system, he said. Sajid told WealthPK that beyond the E-Office initiative, the Sindh government has launched "e-Services Sindh" mobile application, developed collaboratively by the Board of Revenue Sindh and Industries Department.

This app provides online access to digitized land records and maps for estates under the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE) and the Sindh Small Industries Corporation. It facilitates online applications for no-objection certificates, permissions, and transfers, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices.

The system also ensures timely processing of applications and enhances the security of government records. As part of the initiative, manual records, including Village Form-VII-A and Village Form-II, are being rewritten and linked to the CNICs to prevent fraudulent claims.

A comprehensive digital land register is being developed to map survey numbers across entire Dehs (villages) and secure non-transferable lands such as forests, graveyards, and leased lands. The digitized records will be stored on a blockchain-based platform, ensuring an immutable and tamper-proof registry.

The new system will also introduce a paperless and seamless land title transfer mechanism, integrated with NADRA, FBR, and banks for real-time verification. To test the new system’s effectiveness, the Sindh government has approved a pilot project in Deh Matiari, Palijani (Matiari district), and Deh Bagerji (Sukkur district).

The initiative is being developed in collaboration with IBA Sukkur, which is designing the technical framework. Additionally, the deputy commissioner's office in Sukkur has implemented an e-service platform, enabling digital submission and processing of documents such as domiciles, heirship certificates, and revenue-related applications.

This model is under observation for potential replication in other districts, Tunio said. He said the government's digitalization efforts reflect a broader commitment to e-governance, aiming to streamline administrative processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and enhance public service delivery.

By leveraging technology, the province seeks to foster a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric governance model. He opined that these initiatives mark a significant step toward modernizing Sindh's administrative framework, setting a precedent for other provinces to follow in embracing digital transformation for improved governance.

Credit: INP-WealthPk