ISLAMABAD IMTISAL BUKHARI
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, visited the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) Center along with the Director General of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The visit aimed to assess the ongoing advancements in digital and AI-based initiatives in agriculture and land management.
The delegation was welcomed by DG LIMS, Major General Muhammad Ayub Ahsan, while Dr. Colonel Waqar briefed the visitors on key developments. During the session, it was highlighted that LIMS plays a pivotal role in ensuring national food security, providing advanced AgriTech advisory services to over two million farmers, and saving over PKR 5 billion by automating solutions to challenges such as the 2023 whitefly infestation.
The federal minister and her team were also presented with a live demonstration of the “AgriStack” project, launched under the Ministry of IT. Ms. Khawaja lauded the initiative, stating that AgriStack holds the potential to revolutionize Pakistan’s agriculture sector by serving as a comprehensive digital ecosystem and e-commerce platform developed through LIMS.
Among other notable initiatives discussed was the “Pak Sarzameen Card,” a smart tool based on GIS/RS technologies. It is designed to facilitate easy access to land records, agricultural subsidies, and expert advice for farmers.
The delegation also explored opportunities for branding and enhancing the export potential of Pakistani agricultural products. Emphasis was placed on creating tech-driven employment opportunities for youth in agriculture, including smartphone distribution, improved connectivity, AI-powered crop yield forecasting, and the establishment of a centralized AgriTech system under LIMS.
A proposal for forming a Steering Group to support the expansion of AgriTech and LIMS operations was also tabled to ensure integrated progress.
Calling LIMS a flagship project of Pakistan’s digital transformation, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja stressed the importance of making the platform fully functional and accessible to the public via smartphones. She emphasized that mobile access will enable real-time data availability, location mapping, and efficient land record management, enhancing transparency and public service.
DG SIFC called the LIMS initiative a prime example of civil-military collaboration for national development. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a tech-enabled and sustainable future for Pakistan’s agriculture and environmental sectors.
