LAHORE - Google yesterday agreed to provide assistance to the Punjab government in information technology sector.
A delegation led by Vice President South Asia and South Eastern Asia of Google Rajan Anandan met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and agreed to promote cooperation with Punjab government in information technology sector.
On the occasion, the chief minister said that the government was giving top priority to the promotion of information technology which was being utilised for the capacity-building of provincial departments and institutions which is resulting in promotion of e-governance in the province.
“It is the need of the hour to benefit from digital technology for the provision of speedy and best services to the masses. And the Punjab government is fully benefitting from this technology to achieve improvement in education, health, infrastructure, law & order, police and other sectors,” the CM added.
Shahbaz Sharif said the digital technology proved a big help in the system for monitoring of the governmental affairs through smart phones. He further said that work is being carried on the Safe City Project for controlling crime and maintenance of peace. Similarly, he said, a project has been evolved for setting up a modern Knowledge Park and its completion will help in promotion of education and research activities as well as information technology. He said that Land Record Management & Information System has facilitated the people in acquiring their ownership deeds as well as eliminated corruption, fraud and forgery.
He said that first Information Technology University of the country in public sector has been set up in Lahore which is playing an important role in equipping the students with modern knowledge. Shehbaz Sharif further said his government will taken speedy steps to promote cooperation with Google in the IT sector.
Rajan Anandan said that cooperation with Punjab government in information technology sector will be promoted and they will be happy to work with Punjab. He said that Shahbaz Sharif is taking effective steps under a vision for promotion of good governance in the province and has completed a number of development projects in a record period during his tenure.
Analyst Public Policy & Government Relations South East Asia Alex Long, Country Manager for South Asia Ms Tania Aidrus and Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board Dr. Umer Saif were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Kidney & Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre project is of vital importance for the provision of modern treatment facilities to kidney and liver patients. He said that there is a need to work with national spirit on this important project.
He was addressing a video conference at Civil Secretariat Lahore yesterday. Various matters regarding Pakistan Kidney & Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre project were reviewed in the conference.
The chief minister said that Pakistan Kidney & Liver Transplant Institute and Research Centre project is a great project of public interest which should be speedily implemented without wasting any time.
He directed that a high standard of the project should be ensured and work should be carried out expeditiously. He said that the steering committee formed for the project should review all matters regularly for taking decisions and a report should be presented within seven days after setting the timeline regarding the issues relating to the project.