Punjab – (Web Desk) – The World Bank has approved a $70 million Punjab loan to help the province get more people online, improve digital government services, and reduce cash-based transactions. The loan is part of the Connected Punjab Programme, a plan built to work alongside Pakistan’s national digital growth efforts.
This funding comes from the World Bank’s International Development Association. It forms part of a much bigger $278 million investment plan, with the Punjab government adding $208 million of its own money to the project.
World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, said digital access has become a basic need, not just an extra option. She added that this program will help bring the federal government’s digital plans directly to people living across Punjab.
She also said that better internet and digital tools will especially help women and young people. They will get more chances to join the workforce, run small businesses, and use public services with ease.
One major goal of the program is to remove the red tape that slows down internet expansion. Right now, it takes about 90 days to approve permits for laying broadband cables. This program plans to cut that time down to just 21 days.
Because of this faster process, private companies are expected to expand broadband service to more homes. The program hopes to raise broadband access from 7.8 million people to 9.9 million people by June 2031. That means around 2.1 million new people will get online for the first time.
The plan also expects to attract at least $50 million in private investment for digital infrastructure projects across the province.
Another big focus is improving how the government delivers services using modern technology. Public offices will get better computer systems, which will help them offer AI-powered services to citizens.
By 2031, the program aims to reach nearly 29 million people through improved digital government services. It also aims to raise the number of women using these digital services from 19 percent to 30 percent.
The program also wants to reduce Punjab’s reliance on cash. A new Digital Invoice Management System will link payments, billing, and government records together. Officials expect around 350,000 people to start using cashless payment systems by 2031.
Shahbaz Khan, a senior digital expert at the World Bank in Pakistan, said this program supports the national Digital and AI Compact. He explained that it works closely with the federal Digital Economy Enhancement Project to build a connected digital system for the whole country.
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