Latest news with #FaisalYousaf
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PITB begins WhizKids summer camp
LAHORE: The Punjab Information Technology Board's incubation wing has kicked off its WhizKids Summer Camp at Arfa Software Technology Park, a two-week programme designed to nurture creativity, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking among children. According to the PITB, the camp offers free training to children aged 8 to 17, covering a wide range of exciting and educational activities, including coding, graphic design, app development, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing. The programme aims to help participants explore the world of technology and acquire essential digital skills in an engaging, hands-on environment. Commenting on the summer camp, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf said, 'The annual camp is part of our broader vision to expose children to emerging technologies from an early age. By polishing their digital, creative, and entrepreneurial capabilities, we aim to lay the foundation for a brighter and more empowered future generation.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Punjab portal connects 1.3m job seekers
More than 1.3 million job seekers and over 105,000 employers have registered with the Punjab Job Centre since its launch in August 2022, according to the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). Developed in collaboration with the Punjab Labour and Human Resource Department, the online platform is designed to bridge gaps between job seekers, employers, and employment agencies across the province. The job portal allows individuals from both public and private sectors to register and connect. PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf said the initiative is aimed to promote equal employment opportunities and help businesses access skilled and verified talent. "This platform ensures merit-based recruitment and supports workforce inclusion across Punjab," he stated. However, despite advancements in digital employment services across the public and private sectors, the country continues to face gaps in national labour data. The Economic Survey 202425 did not provide an updated unemployment rate, instead referencing then figure of 6.3 per cent from the 202021 Labour Force Survey. Officials attributed the absence of new data to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics' engagement with the 7th Population and Housing Census during 202223. The Labour Force Survey for 2024-25 is currently under way. However, newly published census data provides a broader picture of the country's employment landscape. Of Pakistan's total population of 241.4 million, roughly 18.7 million individuals - 7.8 per cent - are unemployed. Within the working-age population (171.7 million), the unemployment rate stands at approximately 11%. Breakdowns by age group reveal particularly high unemployment among youth: 6.2 million unemployed in the 1524 age bracket, 6.4 million in the 2540 group, and 3.4 million between 4160.
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CDA announces digitalisation of its services
ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday announced digitalisation of its services and adoption of a cashless payment system for property tax, water charges, transfer fees, and other services. According to details, citizens will soon be able to access all CDA services from home through online portals, saving time and resources. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Chairman CDA, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, and Director General Civil Defence Muhammad Ali Randhawa at CDA Headquarters. Members of the CDA Board participated in the meeting, while Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Faisal Yousaf, joined along with his team via Zoom. The meeting focused on modernising the CDA One Window Facilitation Centre, introducing digital submission of maps and layout plans, and integrating a cashless online payment system. It was emphasised that these reforms would enhance transparency, ensure efficient service delivery, and significantly reduce public inconvenience. Officials informed the meeting that the CDA has already initiated the computerisation of land records and is transitioning its financial system from manual to digital. These efforts are yielding positive outcomes and are part of the broader shift toward e-governance and good governance. The PITB briefed the CDA on its experience with various IT and digitalisation initiatives in Punjab. It was agreed that PITB's expertise could assist in implementing similar models in Islamabad to improve public access to CDA services. Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa reaffirmed the authority's commitment to transforming CDA into a model institution through digital innovation. He stressed simplifying procedures for the public and ensuring the integration of online payments under a cashless system. He also directed the CDA's IT Wing and senior officers to coordinate closely with PITB for joint execution of mutually beneficial projects. The meeting further decided to modernize the monitoring and evaluation mechanism of all CDA formations through a digital dashboard to ensure timely achievement of targets. It was agreed that officials from CDA and PITB will continue consultations through regular Zoom meetings to exchange ideas and finalise actionable recommendations, which will be presented for approval by the CDA Board. Additionally, it was announced that CDA will hold regular follow-up meetings, chaired by its chairman, to review progress on digitalisation and ensure all initiatives reach their logical conclusion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Punjab opens online bidding for vehicle number plates
LAHORE: To facilitate the public, citizens across Punjab can now apply for attractive registration numbers for commercial vehicles, along with motorcycles (bikes) and motorcars, from the comfort of their homes. According to the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) on Wednesday, the registration is open via the e-Auction app and web portal, developed by PITB in collaboration with the Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department. Applicants can register and place bids for their desired numbers until July 30. Highlighting the initiative, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated, 'The e-Auction system ensures complete transparency and allows users to participate in the bidding process from anywhere, at their convenience.' He further added that the details of successful bidders will be available directly on the app, making the process seamless and paperless. 'This system is helping eliminate the role of middlemen and agent mafias, while building public trust through an efficient and corruption-free mechanism,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
e-procurement system: PITB, PPRA organise training session
LAHORE: The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), in collaboration with the Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), organised a comprehensive training session on the e-procurement system for officials from divisional, district, and tehsil-level offices across the Multan division. According to the PITB, Waqar Azim, Managing Director of PPRA, provided a detailed overview of the legal and regulatory framework governing public procurement in Punjab. The PITB's e-procurement team conducted hands-on training across various modules of the system and actively engaged participants through interactive Q&A sessions and feedback collection. The e-procurement system, developed by PITB, leverages modern technology to facilitate secure, paperless, and efficient procurement. In this regard, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated that, under the directives of the Punjab government, the PITB has implemented the e-procurement system across various government departments to make the procurement process more efficient, transparent, and streamlined. Through this system, vendors from across the province and beyond can submit bids online, eliminating geographical barriers and streamlining the entire procurement cycle. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
