Punjab Information Technology Board

World Bank Consultant Presents Chairman PITB With His Book ‘Technology in Policing’

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) Chairman Faisal Yousaf was presented with the book titled, ‘Technology in Policing’, authored by World Bank Consultant Burhan Rasool, former Head of Software Engineering at the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). The book offers a comprehensive guide on adopting technology and the necessary cultural shift within Pakistan’s policing system.

Originally envisioned as a training manual, the book has evolved significantly, now featuring case studies and managerial leadership theories that the author developed during his Humphrey Fellowship at the Maxwell School. His extensive experience as the Project Director for the Computerization of Police Stations in Punjab played a critical role in shaping the book’s content and strategic direction.

A notable highlight of Burhan Rasool’s contributions includes the development of Pakistan’s first Urdu-speaking chatbot created to assist senior police officers with daily situation reports. The chatbot was launched as the “Rehbar Bot” during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a crucial role in disseminating authentic information about COVID-19, showcasing the potential of technology in crisis management and public communication.

Chairman Faisal Yousaf congratulated Mr. Burhan Rasool on the successful publication of his book and stated, “This book will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource as we continue our efforts to modernize Pakistan’s policing systems and improve public safety with innovative technological solutions”.

Burhan Rasool is a World Bank Consultant with over a decade of experience in public sector digital transformation. He has contributed to multiple GovTech initiatives for the Governments of Madagascar and Mozambique. Burhan is also a Humphrey Fellow in Technology Policy and Management from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University, New York.

PITB’s AI-powered System for Punjab Police Department Set to Curb Crimes

The state-of-the-art Safe City Project, executed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Punjab Police Department, is using Artificial Intelligence based Facial Recognition System, Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System, and Tag and Trace System to curb crimes in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala. This emerged during a progress review meeting presided over by PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf. PITB Additional Director General (ADG) Qasim Ifzal, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Adil Iqbal Khan, and other senior officials were also present.

On this occasion, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf appreciated the team for successfully executing the project within record time. He congratulated the PITB Software Engineering Wing for developing an indigenous solution.

In his remarks on the occasion, he stated,

The ‘Automatic Number Plate Registration Control System (ANPR)’ harnesses cutting-edge technology to automatically capture and register vehicle license plate information, facilitating efficient monitoring and identification of vehicles involved in criminal activities.

The state-of the-art surveillance system utilizes a network of strategically placed cameras that scan license plates, and cross-reference them with a centralized database. The system generates real-time alerts for authorities in case of any anomalies or violations.

By seamlessly integrating with existing law enforcement infrastructure, the system plays a pivotal role in curbing vehicle-related crimes, promoting compliance with traffic regulations, and ensuring safer roadways for all citizens of Punjab.

Additionally, the Artificial Intelligence based Facial Recognition System automatically captures pictures and compares them with the huge data compiled including 16 million records and pictures from the driving licenses branch, 1.8 million records from the Crime Record Branch, 1.3 million from the Punjab Khidmat Marakaz, and 300,000 records of accused individuals and criminals from Punjab prisons. The System aids law enforcement personnel in identifying and tracing suspects detected through CCTV cameras and other sources.

Chairman Faisal Yousaf highlighted that these cutting-edge systems were developed in line with international standards, offering a cost-effective solution implemented in an incredibly short time locally. PITB chief also hinted at the swift implementation of similar security systems in more cities across Punjab, promoting Artificial Intelligence for enhanced public safety.

PITB and Sweden-based Nutty Ventures Join hands to Promote Pakistani Startups in Sweden

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Sweden based Nutty Ventures AB have signed an MoU at Arfa Software Technology Park in order to work in collaboration for the promotion of local startups.

The ceremony was presided by Punjab Provincial Minister for Higher Education & Information Technology Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz along with Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor. The MoU was signed by PITB DG e-Governance Sajid Latif and Nutty Ventures AB Strategic Advisor Naim-ul-Abd on behalf of their respective organizations. Senior officials from both organizations including PITB Joint Director Hammad Bin and Head of Freelancing Wing Ahmad Islam Syan were present at the event.

According to the MoU, PITB and Nutty Ventures AB will collaborate to provide increased exposure to Pakistani startups in Sweden, create tailor-based coaching opportunities for Pakistani startups, strengthen acceleration programs and build opportunities for international investors and venture capital funds for Pakistani startups.

While speaking at the ceremony, Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz said, “Government of the Punjab envisions technology as an engine of economic growth as ICT interventions are opening new frontiers every day especially for freelancers and aspiring entrepreneurs. Our aim is to provide best-in-class coaching to startups so they can compete at an international level for visibility and necessary funding for accelerating growth. I value this partnership because it will provide exciting opportunities to our local startups and will further strengthen PITB’s existing programs in entrepreneurship and freelancing domains.”

PITB is fully committed towards inculcating the culture of tech entrepreneurship and achieving sustainable growth by grooming early stage startups to transform into commercially viable technology companies. PITB is already running a number of initiatives aiming to empower young entrepreneurs, startups and freelancers through programs such as Plan 9, National Freelance Training Program, e-Rozgaar and e-Earn.

Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor said, “Pakistani startups have made their mark in the global arena which is manifested through an increase of over 300% in the funding raised by local startups during 2021. In line with the vision of the government, PITB’s entrepreneurship and freelancing programs are not only facilitating the youth of Punjab through incubation and skills development programs but are also helping them in creating the much-needed linkages with the foreign investors and venture capitalists.”

“It is worth mentioning that PITB is running a range of successful incubation and freelancing programs not only in Punjab but in other provinces as well.” he added.

Nutty Ventures AB, which is currently running a Sweden-wide accelerator program, has extensive experience and network in the Swedish startup, impact, and funding ecosystems. “Since we are experiencing rapid change in global trends in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, we need to eliminate traditional hierarchies and structures which are huge bottlenecks. Nutty Ventures will leverage the power of global best practices to create meaningful impact for PITB-backed startups,” said Nutty Ventures AB founder and CEO Mehkar Sheikh.

Sweden is one of the leading countries in the world in innovation, startup activity. According to a latest report, Stockholm currently has the highest number of tech unicorns per capita in the world after Silicon Valley.

e-Pay Punjab Revenue Collection Crosses PKR 60 Billion+

e-Pay Punjab, a joint initiative of Punjab Information Technology Board and Punjab Finance Department, has collected a staggering PKR 60 Billion+ revenue against 12.3 Million+ transactions to date.

This was informed during a progress review meeting in which Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor stated that e-pay Punjab continues to facilitate the citizens by enabling them to pay taxes online through a number of payment channels.

It was also informed that e-Pay Punjab app has been downloaded 933K+ times. PITB DG IT-Operations Faisal Yousaf and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.

Offering online payments of 21 taxes/levies for 10 departments, e-Pay Punjab has collected a total revenue of PKR 35.25 Billion through Sales Tax, PKR 10.5 Billion through Token Tax, PKR 8.25 Billion through Property Tax, and around 3 Billion through Traffic Challans.

Automation of online tax payment system through e-Pay Punjab has made government collections easier by making the payments process prompt and hassle-free through a number of payment channels.