The Ministry of IT and Telecom has kicked off the formation of the steering committee for the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP), extending invitations for nominations from key stakeholders.
In a bid to ensure comprehensive representation, the Ministry is reaching out to organizations like the National Information Technology Board (NITB), National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Provincial IT Boards, and the Board of Investment (BOI) to join the committee.
With the green light from the World Bank for grant funding, the Ministry is eager to fast-track the implementation of the DEEP project.
An interim Project Management Unit (PMU) will soon take shape within the Ministry, initially overseen by acting officials. Following this, a permanent PMU will be established upon the appointment of a project director and essential personnel.
Per the project blueprint, the Project Director and PMU staff will report to a Project Steering Committee (PSC) chaired by the Ministry of IT and Telecom. This committee, comprising representatives from various governmental bodies, will convene quarterly to supervise project management, track deliverables, ensure report quality, and address any implementation hurdles.
The DEEP project aims to propel national digital transformation, enhancing citizens’ quality of life, streamlining access to government services, and boosting the country’s business landscape.
It seeks to build Pakistan’s digital government infrastructure, establish a national data exchange layer, introduce a National Digital ID system, and develop a unified platform for business-government interactions. Additionally, the initiative includes the Civic Innovation and Technology Labs (CITL) initiative to nurture innovation through open government data.
Recently, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors greenlit a financing package totaling $149.7 million, with a significant chunk allocated to the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). Valued at $78 million, DEEP aims to revolutionize public service delivery by harnessing digital platforms to broaden access to digitally enabled services for citizens and businesses, fostering enhanced connectivity and efficiency in the digital sphere.
