Government Plans Unified Digital Platform for Citizen Services

By Tanveer Ahmed :

Govt is preparing to introduce a nationwide “Super App” aimed at delivering government services and enabling digital verification of official documents, as part of a broader strategy to accelerate technology adoption across both public and private sectors.

The announcement was made by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who said the initiative would allow citizens to access multiple state services directly from their smartphones, reducing reliance on physical government offices.

With a population of around 240 million, Pakistan is seeking to position itself as an emerging player in the global technology economy, following a growing trend among developing nations to leverage digital tools for productivity, skills development, and innovation.

According to the minister, Information and communications technology (ICT) exports reached a record $437 million in December, reflecting a 23 percent increase compared to the previous month and a 26 percent rise year-on-year.

The country’s tech sector has also made progress in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. In November, Pakistan launched its first sovereign AI cloud, designed to store sensitive data within national borders while supporting the expansion of the local digital ecosystem.

Speaking at a technology event in Karachi, where thousands of students gathered for an AI training entrance test under the “Indus AI Week” programme, Khawaja said the Super App would mirror services available in developed countries, where citizens can manage most government interactions digitally.

She added that the platform is expected to reduce the need for in-person visits to institutions such as the National Database and Registration Authority and the Higher Education Commission, enabling services like identity verification, academic records, and official documentation to be accessed remotely.

The Indus AI Week initiative, held from February 9 to February 15, aims to prepare Pakistan for a larger role in the global AI landscape.

At the opening ceremony, Shehbaz Sharif announced that the government plans to invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030 to modernise the country’s digital economy.

“These efforts are focused on strengthening national AI infrastructure and maximising the potential of our human capital,” Khawaja said, urging young Pakistanis to become innovators and creators rather than just consumers of technology.