Punjab Directs All Public Offices to Shift Fully to Digital Filing by July 1
By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, PakistanLAHORE: The Punjab government has directed all public offices across the province to transition completely to a digital filing platform by July 1, as part of a major administrative reform aimed at eliminating paper-based processes, enhancing transparency, and reducing government expenditure.Under the directive, all regional and district field offices will be…
By Muhammad Shahzad, Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Punjab government has directed all public offices across the province to transition completely to a digital filing platform by July 1, as part of a major administrative reform aimed at eliminating paper-based processes, enhancing transparency, and reducing government expenditure.
Under the directive, all regional and district field offices will be required to adopt the E-Filing and Office Automation System (e-FOAS), which is already operational in provincial departments and attached bodies. Beginning next month, government offices will no longer be permitted to use manual paper correspondence.
Officials estimate that the move will save billions of rupees annually by significantly reducing administrative and operational costs associated with traditional file management systems.
The directive was issued by the Punjab Chief Secretary during a Secretaries Conference held at the Civil Secretariat on Monday. The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue, and provincial administrative secretaries, while divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners joined via video link.
Addressing the participants, the Chief Secretary said the digital transformation would help standardize administrative procedures, improve transparency, reduce delays in official processing, and accelerate the resolution of public grievances.
The Chief Secretary acknowledged the role of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in implementing the technological transition and overseeing the shift from manual record-keeping to a modern digital governance framework.
During the conference, he also commended administrative officers, local government institutions, and field staff for their performance during Eid-ul-Adha. Despite extreme summer temperatures, he noted, local administrations successfully achieved solid waste management targets and ensured the smooth delivery of public services across the province.
