ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced the establishment of an Asan Khidmat Markaz in Islamabad, a one-window public service facility developed in collaboration with Azerbaijan’s State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations (SAPSSI). He described the initiative as “a new milestone in Pakistan-Azerbaijan friendship.”
The decision followed the prime minister’s recent visit to Baku, where he toured Azerbaijan’s successful Asan Khidmat model. Inspired by that experience, Shehbaz directed officials to replicate the system in Pakistan’s capital with Azerbaijani cooperation.
“The Asan Khidmat Markaz will bring multiple public services under one roof, ensuring convenience and transparency for citizens. This citizen-centred initiative will be a revolutionary step in improving public service delivery,” Shehbaz said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
He added that all appointments for the centre would be made strictly on merit and through transparent procedures. The prime minister further instructed authorities to integrate a proposed Business Facilitation Center with the new service hub, enabling seamless access for both citizens and entrepreneurs.
Shehbaz stressed that the centre would advance the government’s cashless economy policy and serve as a model to be expanded from Islamabad to other cities. “This will not only improve governance but also make daily life easier for people,” he noted.
Expressing gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the government of Azerbaijan, Shehbaz acknowledged their “expert guidance and technical support,” saying the project would also strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting, a formal agreement was signed between SAPSSI and Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecom to move forward with the centre’s establishment.
Senior cabinet members including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Housing Minister Riaz Pirzada, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima attended the ceremony.
