LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Tuesday said that the Punjab government was leading in providing facilities to the people as more than 20 services were being provided to the citizens with a one-click option.

In a statement, Usman Buzdar said that Rs40 billion dues had been collected through the e-payment system as more than 5.5 million citizens had benefited from the e-payment facility. “By the use of modern technology, people are being facilitated at their doorstep and time-saving factors have ensured easy payment of taxes,” he added.

The CM said that the taxes of the Excise & Taxation department including token tax, property tax, cotton fees, e-auction and motor registration and transfer fees could be paid through e-payments. “Likewise,” he added, “sales tax of Punjab Revenue Authority and payment of Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess had also been made possible through e-payment.”

The CM further stated that the payment of traffic challans in Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Gujranwala could also be made through e-payment while the Board of Revenue’s e-stamping and Fard fees could be paid through e-payment. “The e-payment facilities have been provided in the industries department for business registration and school education for the registration of private schools,” he added.

The CM said that the route permit and vehicle fitness certificates in the transport department could also be obtained through the e-payment system. “Furthermore, the irrigation department has started an electronic water charges system in Khanwa, Layyah, Kasur and Sheikhupura in the first phase,” he stated. “Moreover, the workers’ participation fund of the Labour and Human Resource Department and route permits under Lahore Transport Company could be obtained through the e-payment system,” he added.

Usman Buzdar said that the use of modern technology was being promoted for easing the lives of the people. “The province has entered into a new era of digital development and public service delivery,” he continued. “The ease of doing business and the creation of employment opportunities are the topmost priorities of the government. The service delivery in government departments has been made easy and accessible to the public,” he said and concluded that the people would not have to visit government departments due to automation policy.