The federal government has saved Rs. 9.5 billion in just one year after fully shifting to the e-office system, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima announced. She said the transition has eliminated paper-based file movement across ministries while significantly improving transparency, efficiency, and financial oversight.
According to the minister, the e-office system is now implemented 100% at the federal level, allowing the Prime Minister to review any official file directly from his dashboard. The platform highlights the exact location of files, the duration of pending cases, and all comments added by officers. Files stuck in the workflow automatically appear in red, helping address chronic delays and accountability gaps in government offices.
The minister also noted that the Supreme Court has adopted the e-office platform under an MoU with the Ministry of IT, marking another major milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Mass Adoption and Massive Cost Savings
Shaza Fatima revealed that out of 425 federal departments and regulatory bodies, around 300 have already moved to the e-office system, with the remaining entities in the process of implementation. According to an estimate from the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues, the government saved Rs. 9.5 billion mainly due to a sharp drop in the consumption of stationery, printing materials, and other supplies once required for manual file movement.
The shift has greatly streamlined communication and reduced operational inefficiencies, making government processes faster and more transparent than ever before.
Digital Shift Creates Staffing Challenges
However, the minister acknowledged that the rapid digital transition has rendered about 60% of lower staff positions redundant, particularly roles such as stenotypists, clerks, and dispatch riders. To address this, the Ministry of IT is developing upskilling and reskilling programs aimed at equipping these employees with modern digital competencies.
The government plans to train staff in artificial intelligence, digital tools, and e-governance workflows, ensuring they can transition into newly emerging roles within the public sector.
Shaza Fatima emphasized that the government’s goal is not only to digitize paperwork but also to transform the workforce, enabling employees to operate effectively in a fully technology-driven governance system.
