Pakistan Railways is transitioning to an E-office system to enhance its digital capabilities and streamline its internal processes. The goal is to improve efficiency and transparency and reduce paper usage.
The transformation is being led by the National Information Technology Board (NITB), which will train Pakistan Railways staff to adapt to the digital platform. The E-office system will replace traditional manual file handling with a more efficient electronic system.
An official source indicated that the E-office will benefit users and enhance the overall transparency of Pakistan Railways’ operations. Additional advancements include an app for managing journalist concession cards. This system, managed by the Directorate of Public Relations, is integrated with the centralized reservation center, ensuring streamlined data handling across the country.
A Network Monitoring System (NMS) has been installed within the Directorate of IT to monitor the railway network, promptly addressing any disconnections by liaising with the relevant service providers until issues are resolved. The NMS also audits network efficiency, ensuring consistent performance.
Internet services have been expanded across the railway headquarters and the ministry, using the PR head office as a backup link. Pakistan Railways has also developed an indigenous e-ticketing system, operational since May 2016. This system manages end-of-day earnings through a detailed train-wise earning portal. This portal provides real-time financial data.
The IT Directorate has also installed software for the email exchange server, addressing previous issues with bounced emails from the web hosting company. This ensures that the e-ticketing clients can communicate effectively for complaints and refund claims. Additionally, official email addresses have been issued to staff for both internal and external communication.
Moreover, comprehensive software has been developed for managing court cases across all divisions of Pakistan Railways. This tool provides the legal department with essential information on each case and tracks progress efficiently.