Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the Pakistan Assan Khidmat Markaz in Islamabad, aimed at offering multiple public services under one roof for residents of the federal capital.
Speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister thanked Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for his support in setting up the center. He said the idea was inspired by Azerbaijan’s efficient public service model, which he observed during his visit to Baku.
The prime minister explained that key institutions such as NADRA, the Foreign Office, police, and other departmentswill operate together at the Markaz to make services faster and easier for citizens. He added that similar centers will be set up in Muzaffarabad and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Shehbaz Sharif also said that IT training for youth is a top government priority. He noted that laptops are being distributed to high-performing students to support their education.
The prime minister was briefed on the services and operations of the Markaz. Earlier, he reaffirmed the government’s goal to turn Pakistan into a regional IT hub by promoting skills development and entrepreneurship among young people.
Read more: Azerbaijan carrying out modern beauty renaissance of Islamabad with several projects
Inspired by Azerbaijan’s Asan Service model
The project, inspired by Azerbaijan’s globally acclaimed Asan Service model, will introduce a one-window system where citizens can access multiple government services quickly and transparently.
The agreement followed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Baku in September of last year, where he personally toured Azerbaijan’s centralised Asan centre. Impressed by its efficiency, Sharif called the initiative a “revolutionary step in public service delivery”, noting that Pakistan urgently needs streamlined systems to cut red tape and restore public trust in governance.
Services Under One Roof
The Assan Khidmat Markaz will bring together essential facilities such as national identity card processing, business registrations, and other citizen services under a single roof. This will save people from the hassle of visiting multiple offices and standing in long queues.
Officials added that the centre will also support Pakistan’s transition to a digital and cashless economy, making public services more transparent and less prone to corruption. The prime minister directed that a planned Business Facilitation Centre should also be integrated into the structure, giving entrepreneurs a one-stop hub for starting and expanding businesses.
Commitment to Transparency
Shehbaz kept on urging that all appointments at the centre will be strictly merit-based to ensure professionalism and integrity. He further expressed hope that once the Islamabad centre proves extremely successful, the model will be replicated in other major cities such as
- Lahore
- Karachi
- Peshawar
This will eventually create a nationwide network of modernized public service hubs.