The “Connected Punjab” programme, valued at $249 million, is aimed at expanding high-speed internet access, modernising public services, and pushing the province toward a more cashless economy.

According to a Program Information Document dated May 21, 2026, the World Bank will contribute $70 million, combining results-based financing and technical assistance, while the Government of Punjab will fund the remaining $179 million from provincial resources.

The initiative will be implemented through key institutions including the Punjab Resource Management & Policy Unit (PRMPU), Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA), and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). It is scheduled for World Bank Board consideration on June 26, 2026.

At its core, the programme is part of Punjab’s broader economic roadmap under the Growth Strategy 2026–31, aligned with Pakistan’s national digital vision and the World Bank’s global digital strategy.

The World Bank notes that while mobile broadband has expanded, Pakistan still faces a structural gap in fixed high-speed connectivity. Only a small fraction of mobile towers are fiber-linked, limiting service quality and digital reliability across the country.

To address this, Punjab plans to unlock private investment in broadband infrastructure by simplifying Right-of-Way approvals and reducing bureaucratic delays through a unified digital platform integrated with existing e-governance systems.

One of the more forward-looking elements of the plan is its focus on AI-powered public services. The province intends to develop shared computing infrastructure, including GPU-based systems that can be accessed by government departments, startups, and researchers.

Instead of building large-scale foundational AI models, the strategy focuses on practical, localized applications tools designed to improve administration, service delivery, and decision-making inside government systems.

The programme also includes expansion of AI based citizen services, stronger data governance frameworks, cybersecurity upgrades, and emerging policies on personal data protection.

Another key pillar is the push toward a cashless economy. Digital invoicing systems, electronic payment integration, and point-of-sale networks will be linked with taxation and compliance systems to improve transparency and reduce reliance on cash transactions.

The World Bank has highlighted that Pakistan’s heavy dependence on cash limits financial visibility and slows formal economic growth. A more digitised payment ecosystem, it argues, could help strengthen tax collection, support fintech development, and improve financial inclusion.

However, the plan is not without risks. The Bank has rated the overall environmental and social impact as “moderate,” citing concerns such as digital exclusion, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, data privacy risks, resistance to digital taxation, and rising e-waste from expanded computing infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, the initiative signals a clear policy shift: Punjab is betting on connectivity, data, and automation as the backbone of its future economy, where governance, payments, and public services increasingly move into the digital space.