ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has launched a ‘Technology and Digitalisation Wing Block’ in an attempt to streamline its services, such as property taxes and issuance of death and birth certificates, and enhance operational efficiency with the help of technology.

In a statement on Saturday, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa stated that the initiative marked a new era in the authority’s operations as it “transitions to a corporate model and collaborative working culture”.

“The future of public service delivery lies in embracing modern technology and adopting corporate best practices. Technology and Digitalisation Wing block is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software to enhance efficiency,” he added.

The CDA chief said a corporate-style work environment had been introduced, featuring open desks and an open-door policy to enhance efficiency and transparency. “The implementation of this modern technology is part of a broader initiative aimed at increasing transparency in office operations and improving overall performance,” he said.

Member Technology says most services available online as civic body moves towards digitisation

“By leveraging modern technology in this block, the CDA aims to enhance transparency and improve operational efficiency. Initially, this corporate culture and advanced technology has been implemented in the Technology and Digitalisation Wing, with plans to extend it to other wings of the CDA in the near future,” Mr Randhawa said.

One of the main feature introduced by the wing is an advanced e-filing system set to replace the traditional paper-based filing system. “This shift is expected to reduce reliance on physical documents, cutting down on paper usage and reducing operational costs. This transition promises to streamline processes, making it easier to access and manage documents efficiently,” the statement added.

“This transformation is aligned with the broader national vision of a Digital Islamabad, with the CDA playing its role in bringing that vision into practice at its operational level,” it stated.

‘Digitisation and automation’

According to CDA’s Member Technology and Digitalisation Nauman Khalid, there was an old one-window building of over 5000 square feet. He said that he decided to use the building for digitisation and established a hall in the building.

“There were 28 rooms in my wing so I decided to start from my department and shifted all 67 employees from 28 rooms in the hall. It has brought transparency and has also saved resources as just a few air conditioners are being used and a paperless environment has been introduced. I have also introduced a new website so that people would be facilitated,” he said.

In his 11-month tenure, Mr Khalid has focused on digitisation and automation in the CDA. As it was difficult to introduce a paperless environment in the CDA so efforts were started to introduce it for the applicants in the first phase. He claimed smart parking was also introduced across the city.

“Then work was started to introduce super apps so that people using (mobile applications or website) would be able to apply for the property tax, birth and death certificates and get exemption on property tax. Now overseas Pakistanis and even those who live in Islamabad can apply for tax exemption and will get the bill online. In case of property transfer, they will submit all the documents online, biometric will also be done online with the support of Nadra and online transfer fee will be paid. However plot or house holder will have to come only for signing the document of transfer for which online date will be issued,” he said.

He said that as majority of people, in Islamabad, were educated and they used emails and smart phones so efforts were being for online property and water bills. “It will save resources of CDA,” Mr Khalid said.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2024