Construction, a term that encompasses activities related to the creation of physical infrastructure and related activities, plays a crucial role in the economy of any country. Today, construction is the second largest sector in Pakistan's economy after agriculture. 30-35% of employment is directly or indirectly affiliated with the construction sector.
Pakistan’s construction industry the hot cake for foreign investor’s right now. In past the procedure of building plan approval was a very challenging process and includes more than one department to get NOCs and needless delays were a common occurrence. Construction Industry Services at E Khidmat Marakaz in all districts of Punjab providing transparent, hassle free and time sensitive services delivery, digitization of Services, maintain modalities, Integrated Systems, Citizen-Centric Approach, and Citizen Insight into System, Monitoring Mechanism and potential Expandability & Scalability.
The decision to set up PITB e-Khidmat centers in all 36 districts of Punjab was taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting of the National Coordination Commit¬tee on Housing, Construction and Development (NCCHCD).
Prime Minister Khan said development of the construction sector could play a key role in minimizing the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the national economy through Technology & Innovation.
Following the vision of PM Imran Khan to flourish the construction industry, 32 services including building plan approval, change of land use, completion certificate and approval of private housing scheme have already been started at e-Khidmat Marakaz across Punjab from July 1, 2020.
Upto 28th August 2020, 2150 applications in different categories of construction services have been received, out of which 850 (39%) have been approved, whereas 1300 (61%) are in process. Not a single application has missed a guaranteed timelines.
The initiative, eKhidmat Maraakaz Construction Industry Services across Punjab is a collective effort of Local Government, Housing Department & Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
Live dashboard is available with chief secretary Punjab, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners & Concerned departments across Punjab to monitor the progress of the ongoing applications and to take notice of the delayed cases.
The prime minister appreciated the initiative of province Punjab that established the E-Khidmat Marakaz online system for construction sector across all districts of Punjab. It helps to minimizing human interference in the process of granting NOCs and permissions, with transparency and expeditious processing of the application within the stipulated timeline. It is encouraging for builders and developers to initiate construction activities in a more effective by the simplification of the issuance of NOC and permission process.
The competent authorities of PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor, DG Sajid Latif, ADG Muhammad Waseem Bhatti and its qualified teams working tireless in the E-Khidmat Marakaz across Punjab must be applauded for their endeavors to make these services more Convenient , friendly and apprehendable for the citizens and beneficial for the Punjab Government. Such a team is acting as a role model to start this landmark in other provinces as well in the future.
PITB Working on the vision of our honorable Prime Minister Imran Ahmed khan & CM Usman Buzdar along with Chief Secretary Jawed Rafique Malik & Nadeem Mahbub secretary housing Punjab towards era of digitalizing numerous Govt departments’ services (e-Governance), causing sigh of relief for the masses. "Serving the unserved. Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting the construction sector as he is monitoring Construction industry services provided by Facilitation's centers very keenly. It is the time for the Provincial government to move beyond checking deficits to the development projects especially accelerating work on the construction of houses.