The federal government apparently switched to electronic forms in the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) office through the internet mode “Sahel,” replacing the previous approach of physically submitting paper-based bills and their pre-audit/invoices.
CGA Office Has Successfully Piloted The System To Get Rid of Paper-Based Bills
According to sources, the Finance Division of the cabinet has informed the Economic Coordination Committee that the CGA office has successfully piloted the submission of bills to the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) office via online mode (named “Sahel”), replacing the previous system of physically submitting paper-based bills and their pre-audit/invoices with the electronic form.
According to sources, internal R&D was used to complete the development. The Ministry of Federal Education and the Ministry of National Health Regulations were selected to pilot the system in order to meet the World Bank’s DLI (under PforR).
In addition, sources claimed that since the start of this year, both ministries had submitted all bills for the current budget online.
They claimed that just eight (08) Federal Divisions are currently located in the Sahel. For “ease of doing business in Pakistan” in accordance with the Bol, the online billing system also aims to integrate with the e-procurement system that is being developed with funding from the World Bank.
The system roll-out covers payments made under ADPs as well as any development projects employing Assignment Accounts.
According to sources, ECC granted Rs. 263.988 million to the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on the request of the Finance division for the deployment of online billing solutions for the Federal and Provincial Accountant Generals.
To read our blog on “DRAP introduces new electronic systems to make doing business easier,” click here.
