Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Tuesday announced a series of major governance and information technology initiatives in the provincial budget for fiscal year 2026-27, aimed at accelerating digital transformation, improving public service delivery and creating opportunities for youth across the province.
Punjab govt unveils major IT, digital governance initiatives in budget 2026-27
LAHORE, Jun 16 (APP): Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman on Tuesday announced a series of major governance and information technology initiatives in the provincial budget for fiscal year 2026-27, aimed at accelerating digital transformation, improving public service delivery and creating opportunities for youth across the province.
Presenting the budget in the Punjab Assembly, the minister said the Punjab government had allocated Rs 14.6 billion for the development of One Map @ Punjab, a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS)-based digital platform designed to enhance planning, transparency and social protection mechanisms.
He said the platform would integrate data relating to ongoing and proposed development schemes, utility networks and the No Objection Certificate (NOC) permit system, enabling more efficient governance, planning and decision-making.
The minister informed the House that Rs 26.44 billion had been earmarked for the Punjab Urban Land Systems Enhancement (PULSE) Programme, which seeks to modernise land administration through the digitalisation of land records and public services across the province.
Highlighting the government’s focus on emerging technologies, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman said Rs 2 billion had been proposed for the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure in Punjab, paving the way for greater adoption of AI-driven solutions in governance and public services.
He further announced the launch of the Chief Minister IT Internship Programme with an allocation of Rs 8.82 billion. Under the initiative, 30,000 IT graduates will be provided internship opportunities over the next four years to strengthen their professional skills and improve employment prospects.
The finance minister said the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for 2026-27 also included the establishment of the Mian Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology in Kasur, development of GPU-based cloud infrastructure, expansion of advanced fixed broadband services, IT boot camps and freelancing training programmes, as well as citizen facilitation and service centres.
A combined allocation of Rs 34.16 billion had been proposed for these initiatives, which were expected to benefit 500,000 new fixed broadband users while providing training and capacity-building opportunities to 10,000 individuals and 2,500 executives and professionals associated with the industrial sector.
The minister said the budget had been prepared after taking into account the needs and aspirations of all segments of society and would help lay the foundation for sustainable development and a digitally empowered Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
