Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially opened the doors to the new Pakistan Assan Khidmat Markaz in Islamabad on Thursday. This flagship facility is designed to bring multiple government services under a single roof, significantly easing the process for citizens of the federal capital.
Inspired by International Excellence
During the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister revealed the international inspiration behind the project. He extended his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his government's cooperation in establishing the center. Recalling a visit to Baku, Shehbaz Sharif stated he was deeply impressed by the efficient public service delivery model there, which directly influenced the concept of the Islamabad Markaz.
One-Stop Shop for Citizen Services
The core function of the Assan Khidmat Markaz is to eliminate the need for citizens to visit multiple offices across the city. Key institutions like NADRA, the Foreign Office, and the police will have their service counters operating from this centralized location. The Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing on the operational framework and the wide array of services that will be offered to facilitate the public.
Looking beyond the capital, the government has plans to replicate this successful model in other regions. Similar service centers are slated for establishment in Muzaffarabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, aiming to expand the reach of streamlined government services across the country.
Linking Services with a Digital Vision
Earlier, the Prime Minister connected this initiative to the broader national goal of digital transformation. He reiterated the government's firm commitment to positioning Pakistan as a regional hub for information technology. As part of this vision, he emphasized encouraging the youth to pursue IT education and develop relevant skills, alongside fostering entrepreneurship in the sector.
Providing internationally competitive IT training to young Pakistanis remains a top priority, he added. To support academic growth, the government is continuing its program of distributing laptops among high-achieving students.
