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LAHORE, Oct 27 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the e-Business Project, a flagship initiative aimed at introducing paperless governance and digital transformation across Punjab, marking a major milestone in the province’s administrative reforms.
Chairing a special meeting here on Monday, the CM directed that all e-Business processes be completed within a strict two-week timeline. She also instructed departments to issue NOCs and approvals under one roof to ensure swift facilitation for entrepreneurs and investors.
The CM further directed all stakeholders to review pending applications weekly and ensure decisions are made within designated time limits. To accelerate implementation, she instructed the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) to establish a special e-Business Cell and set up dedicated assistance desks at Deputy Commissioners’ offices to help applicants unfamiliar with digital systems.
Officials briefed that departments and districts delivering quick decisions on e-Business cases will receive additional performance scores, while the chief minister will chair fortnightly review meetings to monitor progress. “Ending red tape is my mission, e-Business will bring overnight change,” the CM said, emphasizing that eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and promoting transparency are central to her government’s reform vision.
Highlighting the inefficiencies of the old system, she said that obtaining business NOCs previously took years, discouraging entrepreneurship. She noted that Pakistan is a land of immense opportunity, and the government must rebuild public trust in governance through efficiency and integrity. “Government exists to serve, not to obstruct,” she stressed, warning that negligence or corruption in the e-Business system would not be tolerated.
The PITB Chairman informed the chief minister that the e-Business Portal enables entrepreneurs to apply for and obtain NOCs from multiple departments online, with 2,878 applications received so far, of which 1,130 have been successfully approved.
A British-Pakistani entrepreneur, Kashan, shared that he received his business NOC within 24 hours, calling the experience “unbelievable” and thanking Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for making efficient governance a reality.