Pakistan’s digital drive to be a game changer

The growing wave of digitisation that has swept across Pakistan will be a game changer for many overseas Pakistanis, experts said.

Several initiatives that have been launched as part of this digitalisation drive, such as the Roshan Digital Account, are already bearing tangible results, while the upcoming introduction of many more, including a court to resolve land grabbing cases and a long-term national tourism strategy, will tackle key issues that overseas Pakistanis have been facing in recent years.

Launched by the central bank, in cooperation with eight banks of the country, the Roshan Digital Account are designed to attract more remittances in order to boost Pakistan’s foreign exchange re-serves. According to reports, remittances to Pakistan from the country’s diaspora stayed above $2 billion for the 10th consecutive month in March 2021, reaching $2.7 billion, up by 43 per cent when compared to same month last year. Cumulatively, remittances have risen to $21.5 billion during the July-March 2021 fiscal year, up by 26 per cent over the same period of 2020 fiscal year. The State Bank of Pakistan has credited the proactive policy measures by the government and the introduction of the Roshan Digital Accounts as contributing to the sustained rise in remittances.

Fast-track court

Another key issue that will soon be resolved for overseas Pakistanis is the introduction of a fast track court to identify and resolve land grabbing issues. Syed Zulfiqar Bukhari, special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan, said that these courts will soon be rolled out over the next few months, starting in Islamabad. Land grabbing disputes, which can drag on for years in a normal court, will be resolved in just a few weeks, Bukhari said. Another welcome news for many over-seas Pakistanis who wish to explore more of their home country during the holiday seasons, is the launch of a national tourism strategy and portal.

“We have recently finished with our 10-year tourism policy, as well as a 5-year tourism action plan. We have created an online portal for ‘Brand Pakistan’ which will be officially launched by the end of May this year. We want people to see Pakistan for what it is, and we want people to recognise Pakistan for all its natural beauty. We want them to look at Pakistan as an exotic destination,” said Bukhari.

Digitisation to drive economy

— rohma@khaleejtimes.com