The Punjab Assembly has made comprehensive arrangements to transition its proceedings to a fully paperless system, equipping the assembly hall with modern tablets for lawmakers ahead of the upcoming session. According to assembly officials, the next session of the Punjab Assembly will be conducted entirely without printed documents, marking a historic shift in legislative operations.
Digital Transformation Initiative
A total of 380 tablets have been provided to the assembly under the European Union-funded IP5 programme to facilitate the transition to a digital legislative process. Of these devices, 371 tablets have been installed at the seats of assembly members, three at the desks of house officers, and one at the Speaker’s seat. This move is aimed at replacing traditional paper-based documentation with an efficient digital system.
To support the initiative, a dedicated application has been developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in consultation with the Law Department and the Punjab Assembly’s IT team. A spokesperson for the Punjab Assembly stated that the application has been specifically designed for assembly proceedings and related legislative business, ensuring seamless access to documents and agendas.
Cost Savings and Environmental Benefits
Punjab Assembly Secretary General Chaudhry Amir Habib highlighted that the decision to digitise proceedings would result in savings of millions of rupees previously spent on printing agendas, bills, resolutions, and other official documents. He added that the paperless system would also contribute to energy conservation and environmental sustainability, aligning with green initiatives. According to the Secretary General, all members will receive assembly agendas and other official documents through the tablets installed at their seats, eliminating the need for physical copies.
Officials noted that this initiative marks a significant step towards modernising the legislative process, improving efficiency, and reducing the Assembly’s reliance on paper-based operations. The forthcoming session will be the first in the history of the Punjab Assembly to be conducted through a fully paperless system, setting a precedent for other legislative bodies in the country.
In a related development, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) sealed 128 properties in a crackdown on illegal commercial activities, though this action is separate from the assembly's digital transformation.
