KPK Government Reduces Budget for Science & IT by 40%

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has slashed the budget for Science and Information Technology as Rs 690 million has been allocated in the budget for 2016-17 against Rs 1.15 billion for 2015-16.

According to the budget documents, Rs 610 million has been allocated for total of 32 projects out of which 26 are ongoing with allocation of Rs 567 million and 6 are new with allocation of Rs 43 million. The government has also set a side Rs 80 million current expenditure including salary/non-development.

Strategic Overview

Science and information technology continues to shape society in profound ways through e-governance and research & development (R&D), making the need for well-educated citizens having command on scientific and technical aspects pivotal to socio-economic development of the Province.

The Department of Science & Technology and Information Technology has undertaken various initiatives for utilizing modern scientific techniques, technologies and advanced information management and communication systems to improve governance, service delivery and enhance socio-economic prospects of the Province.

Working through two attached departments, i.e. Directorate of Science & Technology and Directorate of Information Technology, the Department strives to provide scientific solutions regarding R&D and information management to the government, academic institutions, local industry, and research & development organizations.

According to the budget documents following major targets will be achieved in this sector during 2016-17:

Future Plan & Priorities

• Installation of open wi-fi in public places and universities Development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth
• Portal IT scholarship and base camp for idea
• Generation and commercialization Provision of government services to citizens under one roof through Citizen Facilitation Centers
• Promotion of academic research, development and innovation, and propagation of science culture in youth
• Accelerating technology transfer for° communal benefits
• Landscaping and diagnostic study of Science and Technology

Achievements in 2015-16

• 6 projects initiated for greater efficiency in government departments with the use of ICT including IT Professional Training Centre for IT graduates and government employees, Prisons and Special Branch
• Initiation of work on ICT Policy/Master Planning project
• Introduction of biometric attendance system in all government departments and government hospitals
• Fully automated and computerized system at° Hayatabad Medical Complex
• 4 trainings on “Inquiry based learning” conducted for science teachers in Hazara, D.I.Khan, Swat and Peshawar regions in collaboration with Pakistan Science Foundation (Islamabad) and E&SE Department
• 3 trainings of Biotechnologists conducted at° IBGE UOA, COBAM UoP, CIIT Abbottabad, and KUST & Hazara University

Key reforms initiatives

• Merging Directorate of IT with the IT Board
• Strengthening of traffic control and monitoring system
• Citizens Facilitation Centers
• E-showcasing of industrial and regional products and services
• IT Excellence Centre
• ICT based public services such as District e-services, domicile, e-procurement, e-recruitment, online° admission to schools and colleges