LAHORE:Punjab Local Govt Minister Zeeshan Rafique and Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman formally inaugurated the e-billing system at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Secretary Local Govt Shakeel Ahmad Mian, DG Suthra Punjab Authority Babar Sahib Din, officials from the Bank of Punjab, and officers concerned were also present on the occasion.The scope of CM Maryam Nawaz's digital governance vision has been extended to municipal services, allowing citizens across Punjab to pay bills and other charges from the convenience of their homes.
A total of 229 local government bodies in the province are now integrated into the new system. Under this modern framework, residents can conveniently settle fees and various charges for municipal services via mobile banking and digital wallets.
The e-billing system has been introduced through a collaborative effort between the Bank of Punjab (BOP) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).The Bank of Punjab is now authorised to collect various dues on behalf of the province's 229 local governments, including building plan fees, shop rents, and water charges.
Speaking at the ceremony, LG Minister ZeeshanRafique stated that the primary goal of the e-billing initiative is to make the payment process transparent, swift, and easy for citizens. He highlighted that the performance of CM Maryam Nawaz’s administration over the past one and a half years is being lauded not only across Pakistan but also globally.
He cited significant achievements in governance and public service delivery, pointing specifically to a recent report by the international journal Forbes, which recognised the 'Suthra Punjab' programme as the world's largest waste management system operating under a single administrative umbrella.
Rafique also commended the crucial role played by Chief Secretary and his team in realising the CM's vision. He noted that e-governance initiatives are being successfully implemented across the province under the chief secretary's supervision, and that this scope will be gradually expanded in the coming days. "Citizens will no longer have to endure the hassle of visiting offices and standing in long queues," he added.
Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman addressed the necessity of increased use of Information Technology to enhance governance and service delivery. He attributed the successful implementation of e-governance measures to robust teamwork. He stated that other IT initiatives, such as e-Biz, e-tendering, and e-FOAS, are already yielding positive results.
During the event, the minister and the Chief Secretary distributed shields of honour to the teams from the Bank of Punjab and PITB for their successful completion of the project.
