ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Aminul Haque said on Friday the electronic voting system was part of Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision for "digital Pakistan," adding that his ministry was doing its best to implement the plan.
In an interview with Samaa TV, a local news channel, Haque said the world was rapidly progressing since it relied on modern technology.
He also noted that places like Europe and North America were way ahead of Pakistan since they were good at making technological innovations.
The minister informed that the Election Commission of Pakistan had held a meeting last month in which the participants reminded ECP officials it was their duty to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the country.
The government also said it would provide the required technical support to the commission, though it pointed out that the ECP would have to lead the initiative since it was an independent and autonomous institution.
"Initially, we wanted to introduce the e-voting system at certain places in Azad Kashmir during the July 12 elections," Haque said. "However, we realized it was not going to be possible ... since the election rules and procedures of Azad Kashmir are totally different."
"We cannot dictate them," he continued. "However, we are trying to take them on board."
He also maintained that the e-voting system would soon be introduced to facilitate overseas Pakistanis.
Asked about the technological infrastructure of the country, the minister said the government was trying to upgrade it.
He noted that Pakistan was providing 4G services to 1.4 million users, adding that the country was hoping to launch 5G technology by December next year.
