Pakistan – Step forward, reform and compete with the rest of the world – Part 6.

Pakistan – Step forward, reform and compete

with the rest of the world – Part 6.

Imagine.

Imagine, if we had a Unified Portal of Interactive Public Services, that served as a central platform for citizens to access a wide range of government services online.  Imagine, if citizens could log in and access these services using an Electronic Digital Signature, serving as a secure means of identification.

Imagine if the citizens could make online payments, deposit documents, and obtain birth certificates, death certificates, police clearance certificates, IMEI registration, tax certificates, self-employed registration and over two hundreds other government services without leaving their homes and without visiting any government offices.

Imagination is the key to moving forward. Let me walk you through a routine process of obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in two neighbouring countries.

Obtaining Police Clearance Certificate in Pakistan:

1. Fill and sign an Application Form.
2. Provide proof of Identity – a coloured photocopy of National Identity Card (CNIC).
3. Provide a coloured photocopy of Passport.
4. Provide 3 Photographs.
5. Provide Proof of Residence by submitting documents such as utility bills or rental agreements.
6. Provide CNIC copies and contact numbers of two witnesses.
7. Provide a copy of ‘Nikha Nama’, if the applicant is a married female.
8. Pay a processing Fee, typically between Rs300-400.

Visit a designated police location to submit the above documents. Typically, the certificate will take 3 to 5 working days and will often require a  second or 3rd visit.

Obtaining Police Clearance Certificate  in Uzbekistan:

To obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in Uzbekistan, you can go online, visit the Single Portal of Interactive State Services. https://my.gov.uz/ and log in. Navigate to the section for obtaining a PCC.   Fill the required application form, pay an applicable fee online and submit your application.                  Total process time: 3 minutes.

You can download your PCC from your e-portal within 24 hours. Requires no visit to no government office.

The difference in the processes of the two countries has little to do with technology. It has however much to do with our ability to imagine and our missing focus on improving the lives of our ordinary citizens. While the world has moved on to adopting simple, fast and convenient solutions, we continue doing more of the same – and expecting different results.

Pakistan, please, step forward, reform and compete with the rest of the world.

Naeem Sadiq

March 30, 2025