Efforts Afoot to Transform Ecosystem of Government Services

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said more Asaan Khidmat Markaz centers will be established across the country to provide federal government services under one roof. He was talking to an Azerbaijani delegation, led by Chairman of Public Service and Social Services of Azerbaijan Ulvi Mehdiyev, which called on him in Islamabad today. The delegation reached Pakistan to participate in the inaugural ceremony of Asaan Khidmat Markaz. The Prime Minister extended gratitude to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and the Government of Azerbaijan for their support in establishing this facility.

According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that efforts are underway to completely transform the ecosystem of government services in Pakistan. He added that in the next phase, Asaan Khidmat Markaz centers will be established in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and subsequently across Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that a third-party audit of these centers will be conducted every quarter after setting clear performance targets. He said services of international standards will be provided at the Asaan Khidmat Markaz centers.

The Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities to carry out comprehensive planning to ensure the provision of integrated government services at Asaan Khidmat Markaz centers. He said the Asaan Khidmat Markaz counters will be established in Pakistani embassies abroad to facilitate overseas Pakistanis. During the meeting, a briefing was given on Pakistan’s first Asaan Khidmat Markaz recently established in Islamabad.

The meeting was informed that the first service center established in Sector G-9 for citizens’ convenience will soon be expanded. It was also informed that the Government of Azerbaijan will provide full support to Pakistan in establishing Asaan Khidmat Markaz centers across the country. The meeting was further told that to ensure transparency at the Asaan Khidmat Markaz centers, not only internal audits but also third-party validation will be ensured.

The Azerbaijani delegation lauded Shehbaz Sharif for implementing reforms and introducing innovation in the system, both during his tenure as Chief Minister Punjab and now as Prime Minister. The Azerbaijani Ambassador informed the meeting that in addition to three weekly flights between Islamabad and Azerbaijan, one more flight is being added in March this year. This will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister welcomed this initiative by Azerbaijan.