IT Governance Landscape

A lecture discussion on IT Governance Landscape was delivered by Mr. Waqar Naeem Qureshi, Director General IT Solutions at Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), for participants of 47^th MCMC on July 31, 2026. A detailed overview of evolving role of digital technologies in governance was given and the guest speaker emphasized the growing importance of structured IT governance frameworks in public sector. The speaker highlighted that governments worldwide are increasing investments in digital systems to meet rising citizen expectations for efficient, real-time, and personalized services. However, he stressed that technology alone cannot ensure effective service delivery as IT governance plays a central role in ensuring that IT initiatives deliver value, remain within budget, and achieve intended outcomes. A key focus of the session was on emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cybersecurity. The speaker stressed that though these technologies offer significant opportunities for improving governance, they also introduce risks related to data privacy, system inaccuracies, and institutional trust. Drawing on international examples, the speaker noted that weak governance mechanisms can lead to largescale policy failures, underscoring the need for strong oversight and human accountability. The lecture also highlighted Pakistan's progress through initiatives such as the Digital Nation, Pakistan Act 2004, National Al Policy 2025, and Punjab's data governance and Al-based systems. The session concluded by emphasizing that successful IT governance requires a balanced focus on people, processes, and technology, supported by long-term commitment and interagency coordination. Following the lecture, a detailed question and answer session was conducted. The session ended with a vote of thanks to guest speaker by Sponsor DS.