During a recent visit to Karachi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for an integrated economy through an ‘e-governance’ system. However, given Pakistan’s unreliable internet connectivity, the frequent internet shutdowns for security reasons, and the continued reliance on paper-based processes, the notion of establishing a functional e-governance system seems far-fetched.
One can imagine the chaos that would unfold if the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority decided to throttle or shut down the internet, as it has done in the past year. Such disruptions would not only lead to frustration, especially among the youth, but would also halt official business, exacerbating the economic damage caused by these internet outages.
The Pakistani state has a poor track record when it comes to implementing technological solutions at the national level. Last year, the failure of the Election Management System, designed to withstand challenges such as internet disruptions, highlighted the government’s inability to manage technological advancements. Initially praised as a solution to the shortcomings of the 2018 elections, the system turned out to be even more inadequate than its predecessor when put to use.
With this track record in mind, one can only anticipate the difficulties of managing various government systems integrated into a unified e-governance framework. Anyone familiar with government offices experiencing “system down” days can easily envision the chaos that could occur in this scenario.
That said, the idea of e-governance itself is worthy of support. The real issue is that the government needs to invest in mature, skilled leadership in the technology sector. The country requires qualified IT professionals to lead these efforts, rather than relying on retired military officials or bureaucrats. While the prime ministerβs vision of a streamlined and integrated governance system is commendable, significant groundwork must be laid to ensure its successful implementation.
