Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Senator Ahad Cheema chaired a meeting to review the establishment of Asaan Khidmat Centres in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), along with models for expanding the services to other cities.
The Minister directed the Chief Secretaries of AJK and GB to initiate the tendering process for the centres in line with the Prime Minister’s directions. He said the Federal Government would provide the required funds. The Chief Secretaries, who attended the meeting virtually, agreed to proceed with the tendering process. The Minister emphasised that work should be expedited in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directions.
The meeting also reviewed different operational models for expanding Asaan Khidmat Centre services to other cities. These included a hybrid model in which the government provides facilities while a private entity manages operations; a fully private model under which the government grants a licence and the private entity arranges premises and operations; and a government-operated model. The Minister directed that a feasibility study be completed and proposals based on these models be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration.
The Minister also called for examining a revenue-sharing arrangement with departments providing services at the centres, including NADRA and the Immigration and Passports Department. He said the relevant departments should contribute towards operating costs, taking into account that the government provides premises and utilities. Any private-sector model should include an appropriate revenue-sharing mechanism and safeguards to ensure that private operators do not impose additional charges on citizens. He said the initiative was intended to facilitate the public and its costs should not be passed on to them.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the services and public footfall at the Asaan Khidmat Centre in G-9, Islamabad, and directed that its facilities be further improved.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of using centrally located post offices and other government buildings in different cities to provide Asaan Khidmat services. The Minister directed that this option be assessed through a feasibility study. No decision was taken on its implementation.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Wani; Secretary Communications Ali Sher Masood; representatives of the Ministry of Finance; the Chief Secretaries of AJK and GB, who attended virtually; and senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office attended the meeting.
