The Government of Pakistan is taking several steps to put Pakistan on the Information Technology super highway by introducing information technology at all levels in Public sector. E-Government is one of the major initiatives under the present IT Policy and Action Plan. To pursue this initiative, the Government needs to equip its work force with the tools of I.T. The mandate of Pakistan Computer Bureau is to work in the area of E-Government, undertake training of Government Officers and Staff, help in the development, operations and maintenance of IT system in Government Departments, evaluation of feasibility studies and provide consultation on IT related issues. The PCB is performing E-Government activities since 1971 and its major thrust has been in the said area. However, the extent to which computers are effectively employed in different Departments depends on the proper training of officers and staff.

Besides enhancing workforce of trained I. T. personnel, Pakistan Computer Bureau is also aware of its responsibilities for addressing copyright and licensing problems for the computer software being used in Pakistan. With the implementation of W.T.O. regulations it is expected that the use of licensed software will become mandatory. This will have a great impact on the expenditure of the users as well as a great burden on the national exchequer.

The Government is promoting I. T. by encouraging the development and use of Open Source Software for creating/preparing a workforce possessing the ability to earn valuable foreign exchange through the export of software and trained workforce by itself. The implementation and use of software in the domestic organizations (Public and Private) promotes efficiency and productivity. Without a strict enforcement of copyright laws, there is no incentive for the local software developers. Apart from the enforcement of copyright laws, it is also the duty of the Government to provide alternate solutions of I. T ware to the individuals and organizations. The use of the Open Source Software is being promoted keeping this aspect under consideration. The focus is on Linux Operating System, Open Office and Linux Databases e.g. MySQL or Postgre SQL. The Government of Pakistan is not the only Government promoting the use of Open Source Software. A large number of countries and Governments around the world are promoting the use of Open Source Software. Among these include Germany, France, India, South Africa, U.K. and even USA.

The promotion of Open Source Software as an alternate to the proprietary software would bring massive revenue savings for the Government besides providing alternate software to the common man who cannot afford expensive proprietary softwares. The programmers and the users have easy and free access (on the internet) to the entire base system of Open Source Software. They have access to the source code as well as the right to modify it. Another important aspect of Open Source Software is the ability to write Kernel extensions and drivers as needed.

In the light of the above, Pakistan Computer Bureau is conducting regular computer trainings at its premises at Islamabad since its establishment. Different courses ranging from Basic I.T. to advanced computer trainings are conducted for Government employees through out the year. Further Pakistan Computer Bureau has extended its training program all over the country by outsourcing some of its training courses. In this regard many projects have been implemented successfully since the year 2001. Through these projects the training programs have been outsourced to different computer training institutes having adequate facilities at Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Provincial headquarters and big cities of all the four Provinces and AJK. The training partner institutes have been selected by open competition after invitation for pre-qualification through newspapers advertisements. The programs were greatly appreciated by the Public and Private Sector as PCB has imparted Elementary/Basic I.T., Linux End User and System Administration trainings to Government employees as well as talented private individuals throughout the country.