Government applications in Pakistan refer to mobile or web-based applications developed by various government agencies and departments to provide services and information to citizens.
These applications aim to improve governance and service delivery by leveraging technology for greater efficiency, transparency, and convenience.
Some common examples include applications for identity verification, payment of utility bills, tracking the status of documents, registering complaints, accessing agricultural information, comparing medicine prices, applying for jobs, monitoring government projects, and more.
Pakistan Citizen’s Portal
Launched in 2018, the Pakistan Citizen’s Portal app serves as a digital public grievance redressal system allowing citizens to lodge complaints directly with government departments. Key features include:
- User-friendly interface in Urdu & English
- Categorization of complaints into federal, provincial, or local government jurisdictions
- Robust grievance tracking mechanism providing real-time status updates
- Option for anonymity while filing complaints
- Seamless integration with dashboards of government departments
With over 3 million users, the Portal app empowers people by giving them a voice to provide feedback for improving governance. The app’s widespread adoption also indicates the government’s commitment to digital transformation and responsive administration.
Key services offered by the Pakistan Citizen’s Portal app include:
- Complaint Management: Register and track complaints related to municipal services, health, education, police, etc.
- Service Delivery: Apply for identity cards, passports, domiciles, etc., and track application status
- Information Dissemination: Access information on government schemes, recruitment drives, facilities, tenders, etc.
- Public Feedback: Provide reviews, ratings, and suggestions regarding government departments and policy reforms
By facilitating two-way communication between citizens and government, the app helps to enhance responsiveness, accountability, and quality of public services over time.
NADRA
The NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) app offers a host of services related to national identity registration and verification. Key features include:
- Check the status of the national ID card (CNIC) application
- Verify CNIC details using name and ID card number
- Apply for renewal of expired CNIC
- Register a change of address on CNIC
- Download NADRA birth, death, and marriage certificates
With advanced security protocols for protecting citizens’ data, the NADRA app eliminates the need to visit government offices for routine documentation needs – saving time and effort.
In addition to CNIC-related services, other key offerings of the NADRA app include:
- Family Registration Certificates: Apply for and download family registration certificates
- Child Registration: Register new births and download child registration certificates (Form B)
- Overseas Pakistani ID card: Apply or renew ID cards for overseas Pakistanis
- Visa Application: Fill out and submit visa applications for foreign travel
By consolidating a wide array of services on a single platform, the NADRA app is playing an instrumental role in maintaining updated citizen records and enabling efficient public service delivery.
Mobile Registration Checker
The Mobile Registration Checker app serves as a one-stop solution for obtaining vehicle registration details instantly from the comfort of one’s phone. Key features include:
- Fetch registration details by entering license plate info
- Access ownership records and transfer history
- View vehicle specifications like make, model, color, etc.
- Works offline once details are loaded
- Available in English and Urdu languages
By eliminating visits to excise offices, the app brings great convenience to vehicle owners while also reducing the workload for the departments.
Core services offered by the Mobile Registration Checker app include:
- Registration Verification: Instantly verify the authenticity of car registration
- Ownership Records: Find out the current legal owner of the vehicle
- Transfer History: Check date and details of previous ownerships
- Vehicle Specs: Access information like make, model, color, engine, etc.
- Token Tax Details: View pending and paid token taxes for the vehicle
Overall, the app brings much-needed transparency regarding the legal status of vehicles – preventing fraud and protecting owners’ interests.
Pharmapedia Pakistan
Developed under the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Pharmapedia app serves as an encyclopedia of medicines available in the country. Key features include:
- Search for medicines by brand or generic names
- View product details including usage, dosage, side effects, etc.
- Compare prices of the same medicine offered by different companies
- Find a list of alternate brands for a particular formulation
- Works offline for easy access without the Internet
By promoting information transparency in the pharma sector, the app empowers users to make informed decisions regarding healthcare needs.
Key services offered by the Pharmapedia Pakistan app include:
- Medicine Search: Find details of any registered medicine in Pakistan
- Price Comparison: Compare rates of the same formulations across brands
- Medicine Information: Access usage guidelines, dosage instructions, side effects, etc.
- Medicine Availability: Check which pharmacies have the medicine in stock
By promoting price transparency and healthy competition in the pharma industry, the app facilitates affordable access to healthcare – especially for lower-income groups.
Device Verification System
The Device Verification System (DIRBS) app allows users to verify the authenticity and legal status of mobile devices in Pakistan. Key features include:
- Verify IMEI numbers of mobile phones
- Check if the device is registered with PTA
- View device import status and tax details
- Apply for PTA approval if the device is non-compliant
- Track the status of approval applications
By curbing illegal or unregulated imports, the app prevents an influx of counterfeit devices protecting consumer rights.
Core services offered by the DIRBS app include:
- Device Verification: Instantly verify the authenticity of mobile devices
- Legal Status: Check if the device meets legal standards for usage
- Tax Details: Find out applicable taxes and duties for importing devices
- Approval Tracking: Track the status of non-compliant device approval requests
By enabling swift verification, the app assists users in avoiding blocked or substandard devices – saving time and money.
PASCO
The PASCO (Public Sector Companies) app offers insights into the performance of state-owned enterprises in Pakistan. Key features include:
- Financial data and ratios of public sector companies
- Performance benchmarks and sectoral analysis
- Details on products, services, and management
- Graphical presentation of financial indicators
- Historic reports dating back over a decade
By promoting transparency, the app enables policymakers, investors, and stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding these enterprises.
Core services offered by the PASCO app include:
- Performance Monitoring: Track revenues, profits, expenses, etc. of state enterprises
- Financial Analysis: Evaluate liquidity, turnover ratios, and creditworthiness
- Sectoral Trends: Make comparisons across energy, transport, and infrastructure sectors
- Investment Research: Gauge risks and opportunities for informed investment decisions by empowering citizens with crucial facts and figures regarding state enterprises, the PASCO app promotes accountability, constructive feedback, and optimal resource allocation for these organizations that play a key role in nation-building.
Conclusion
Government mobile applications are making great strides in Pakistan towards improving governance and public service delivery. By harnessing the proliferation of smartphones and mobile Internet, these apps are streamlining routine citizen interactions with various government departments.
Applications like Pakistan Citizen’s Portal, NADRA, Mobile Registration Checker, Pharmapedia, DIRBS, and PASCO are leading examples of how digital technologies can make daily experiences more efficient and convenient for the common man.
However, continued awareness campaigns regarding these apps are crucial for wider adoption across all segments of society. As digital maturity advances in Pakistan, government apps will undoubtedly bring revolutionary changes toward a more responsive and citizen-centric administrative apparatus.
