- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Jan 19 (APP):Advisor to Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad has said that “Digital Nation Pakistan 2025” is not just a project but a comprehensive vision, under which the government is aiming to transform Pakistan into a digitally-empowered nation through improved governance, a robust digital economy, and an inclusive digital society by creating digital identities, digital public infrastructure.
It also aiming at to streamlined online services for citizens and businesses, ensuring data privacy, and fostering innovation.
He was addressing the FinTech Forward Forum on the occasion of the 27th ITCN Asia held at the Expo Center Lahore on Monday, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Khurram Schehzad said that currently 99 percent of government files are being transferred digitally from one ministry to another under E-Office platform, which has eliminated problems like loss of data or delay of decisions with performance accountability through the tracking system, which is ensuring transparency and credibility in the system as well.
The government has a clear goal to have 120 million bank accounts and all government-to-government (G2G) transactions to become 100 percent digital, while the entire government system will be put on digital foundations this year, he added.
He said through PVARA crypto holders will be able to become part of the formal digital economy. Tax incentives are also being worked on and various options are being discussed in this regard.
In response to a question, Khurram Schehzad said that special incentives are being planned to be offered to investors under the industrial policy, while small loans are being given to SMEs, agriculture and youth to start businesses so that they can become self-sufficient. He said that skill bonds are also being issued to encourage skilled individuals.
Emphasizing on the role of the government in the digital economy, Khurram Schehzad said that the primary responsibility of the government is to provide a conducive environment for innovation and create a supportive policy framework for emerging technologies.
He said that the government is actively formulating policies to empower the youth, especially in the modern financial and digital sectors.
Discussing regulatory and institutional issues, Khurram Schehzad said that the establishment of a special framework or virtual assets regulatory authority to regulate and better understand crypto assets is being considered, however, Pakistan is in the early stages in this field.
He gave the example of the United Arab Emirates and said that a structured and effective system for virtual assets is already in place there, while Pakistan is also moving forward in a cautious but confident manner, learning from global best practices.