Scope of GIS in Pakistan https://gisittools.com/

1. Scope of GIS in Pakistan
A system to change the system
CONTENT
1. Introduction of GIS
2. Scope of GIS
3. The Spread of GIS in Pakistan
4. GIS Projects & Impacts in Pakistan
GIS = Geographic Information System = Spatial = Geo = Map = Latitude & Longitude

2. 1. INTRODUCTION OF GIS(Geographic Information Systems)
“Geographic Information Systems is a computer-based tool that analyzes,
stores, manipulates and visualizes geographic information, usually in a map.”
GIS Systems really comes down to just 4 simple ideas:
 Create & Capture geographic data
 Manage it.
 Analyze it and…
 Display it on a map.
Geographic Information systems deals with mapping of earth,
saving the coordinates of each place in computer and facilities
available. When the database is linked with satellite, the information is
available all over the world, like Google maps. But it also helps in
planning, providing facilities to community, gathering data to design
and plan, and also in telecommunication and defense. So its
applications are unlimited.
These days GIS underpins many technologies that we take for
granted. Like the previously mentioned Google Maps, GIS is used is
used in many other industries. It has been especially growing in fields
like advertising, where location data is used to predict what products
people might be interested in. GIS also shows up in things like driving
directions and social media.Any aspectof someone’s life that involves
geography or location is potentially affected by GIS technology.
Some of the largest problems of our planet are best understood
spatially.For example, climate change, natural disasters and
population dynamics are all geographic in nature.
How do you solve problems ina GIS? The answer is through spatial
analysis which understands relationships between spatial and
attribute (Tabular) data.

3. 2. SCOPE OF GIS
Scope of GIS in Pakistan is unlimited. Following are few of the
domains:
 Civil Engineering
 Public Works Administration
 Property Mapping
 Telecom Services
 Academic Research
 Agriculture
 Transportation Planning
 Environmental Impact Analysis
 Fisheries
 Disaster Management
 Insurance
 Property Taxation
 Mining
 Geology
 Security
 Health
 Crime
 Climate Change
 Tourism

4. 1. THE SPREAD OF GISIN PAKISTAN (TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE LIVE)
(ADVANTAGES)
GIS based geospatial technology has the power to transform lives
significantly globally, and even in Pakistan.
This global revolution in low cost information and communication
technologies can also help Pakistan address some of it oldest challenges
with better planning, informed decision making for stakeholders, and
improved government service delivery to benefit citizens. GIS technology
can also be explained in simple terms. Consider: At least 90 per cent of
everything a business, government, institution or organization does, it does
‘somewhere’.GIS effectivelygathers geographicaldata,stores and analyses
it and presents it in in real world spatial form.
Pakistan has the potential to be at the center of the GIS world and can make
full use of the technology and its available applications. A country with a
geographical high risk for emergencies such as floods and earthquakes,
Pakistan can benefit immensely from GIS in flood risk mapping; such
technology analyses historical data to detect potential flooding areas.
Additionally, another example could be in case the transport department
starts planning a new route for bus or railway system in Pakistan, GIS can
analyze the bestpath that would cause the least disturbance to citizens and
presentit in the form of a map. This data can be accessible to the public and
provide real time updates.
Critics might argue about the lack of access to such information and
technologies to the common man; however, creating awareness about the
benefits of this technology can yield unimaginable results. In fact, an
analytical study of such critical data can easily save a million lives in
Pakistan.
Pakistan can effectively manage its resources, reduce duplication of
facilities, and good governance can be encouraged with the use of GIS.
In Pakistan, the establishmentof NSDI (National Spatial Data Infrastructure)
is the need of the hour, whereas it can defined as the technologies,policies,
and people necessary to promote sharing of geospatial data throughout all
levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic
community. Through this infrastructure, the duplication of efforts among
different organizations can be reduced and Pakistan which already suffers
from a lack of resources and good allocation systems can benefit from this
immensely.

5. Pakistan is still catching up on GIS technology. However, many
organizations have ventured fastinto this development.The Urban Unit, The
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission(SPARCO),Planning
and Development Department, Punjab Safe Cities Authority and Pakistan
Bureau of Statistics are a few of the entities that have developed advanced
GIS systems. In this regard, the Urban Unit’s progress is noteworthy.
The Urban Unit has undertaken several projects under its GIS programme,
including Walled City Lahore Database and Marking of Royal Trail, GIS
based mapping of PESSI’s medical outlets, mapping of Vehicle Intensity of
Sheikhupura City, mapping of parks,greenbelts and roundabouts developed
by PHA, mapping of government owned buildings in Lahore, flood prone
areas of Punjab, UIPT GIS & MIS integration in Punjab 36 Districts and
Sindh, Land Record Management Information System (LRMIS) Punjab,
Punjab Spatial Strategy PSS (a spatial decisionsupportsystems) and many
more. A number of Android based applications have also been developed
for monitoring.
Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA)started a GIS based system to control
and managed the traffic and security in Lahore. PSCA generating e-challan
with the help of GIS & MIS integration system. One more PSCA starting
work on GIS Big data and machine learning (Image analysis) with new
technologies.So they will be able to present live streaming security updates,
analysis and planning to overcome dangers situation in all Punjab through
GIS systems
One would anticipate that the available technologyand data are put to good
use for the government to plan holistically, formulate strategies to serve the
community with risk mitigation and deliver superior services.
The advancement in these technologies is a big step up for Pakistan and its
frequent usage would provide the public and private sector a mechanism to
devise result-oriented solutions based onanalysis,leading to improved asset
management, resource planning and enhanced service delivery in Pakistan.

6. 2. GIS PROJECTS & IMPACTS IN PAKISTAN
1. Punjab Spatial Strategy
The Punjab Spatial Strategy (PSS) is a World Bank funded initiative being
implemented bythe Government of Punjab. The Punjab Spatial Strategy will
assess the potential of Punjab’s growth corridors and growth nodes and
prioritize and coordinate investments inthe province. This strategy will inform
in particular public investments related to connectivity infrastructure,
urbanization and development of industrial zones, which will be reflected in
the MDTF (Medium-Term DevelopmentFramework – a multi-year indicative
budget) before approval through the ADP (Annual Development Plan – the
annual budget) process.
The Urban Unit is the executing department/agency responsible for
developmentof the spatial strategy and will also implementcapacity building
necessary for linking this to the Medium and Annual Development Budget
planning cycles in close collaboration with concerned relevant departments,
local governments and other stakeholders.

7. 2. COMPUTERIZATION OF URBAN IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
TAX
Excise,Taxation & Narcotics Control Department started GIS
Integrated Computerization of Urban Immovable Property Tax (UIPT) in
Sialkot District as pilot projectin 2013.The primary objectives of the project
were to develop a robust system which should not only meetthe
requirements of modernworld, but also have the characteristics of plugging
all the avenues of leakages of revenue resulting into increase in revenue,
which apart from it should be transparent and user friendly.
It was envisaged that after successful completion of the pilot project in
Sialkot, it could be extended to all the Districts of Punjab. However, after
successful completion of the pilot project, the Government of the Punjab
decided to extend it in Phase-I, to 5-Largest cities of Punjab including
Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi, which generate
almost 80% of the total revenue collection, which was supposed to be
accomplished with 20% efforts.
These six districts, as a whole, have 2.2 million properties in which 1 million
are taxable and remaining are non-taxable. The successful implementation
of this GIS based system enhanced the speed of the work, quality, timely
reporting,transparency, strong monitoring, reports generation,computerized
PT-1, PT-10 Challan Forms.
After smooth system running for the last 3 years, the department finally
decided to extend the GIS Integrated system of Computerization of UIPT in
the remaining all 30 Districts of the Punjab. Also Sindh GOVT decided in
Sindh.

8. GIS & MIS Integrated 3D view of properties & Plaza
3. Asset Management of Pakistan Railways Land by GIS Based
Computerization and Development of Database Software for MIS
Pakistan Railways started work on GIS based Land Management System of
lands of Pakistan Railways. The project titled “Asset management of
Pakistan Railways Land by GIS based computerization and Developmentof
database software for MIS”, of Pakistan Railways Land, is a vision of the
presentleadership to use technologyfor effective and efficientmanagement
of one of the most important asset i.e. land - economic corridor for the
organization.
The current project is independently been acclaimed by various entities as
one of the most successful automation projects completed over a period of
last two years. The Standing Committee of Senate and Asian Development
Bank has appreciated the system developed jointly by Pakistan Railways
and Urban Unit. This system is anticipated to become Spatial Decision
SupportSystem for the land managementof Pakistan Railways. The system
may prove a new economic corridor for Pakistan Railways.

9. 4. GIS based Punjab Rural Roads Programme (PRRP)
Government of Punjab has launched Punjab Rural Road Program (PRRP) -
the biggestprojectof widening, repair, rehabilitation and constructionof rural
roads in the history of Punjab. PRRP is aimed at laying a network of rural
roads in all districts of the province while improving and rehabilitating existing
roads that were in a deteriorated conditionforquite some time.In addition to
reconstruction of these roads, the width of roads of rural areas will be
increased from 10 feet to 12 feet.
In order to make the project a paragon and a model for future endeavors,
multiple steps have been taken including third party validation to maintain
high standards of quality and GIS based online monitoring of the project.The
projectwill directly benefitthe rural dwellers and will lead to strengthening of
rural economythroughbetteraccess to markets, schools,colleges,hospitals
and job opportunities.
For transparent monitoring physical work and financial utilization of these
roads, they developed web-based online system integrated with
GeographicalInformation System (GIS) for real time monitoring and view
the data, progress and comments/remarks uploaded by Communication
&Works Department, Resident Engineers, Third Party Consultants and
Visitors using GIS Based android application. PRRP Monitoring dashboard
provides the detailed summary, pictorial evidences and geographical
analysis of rural roads.
System based on:
o Its shows the real time physical progressand work done of
each road along with road starting and ending picture as well
as the location from where data is sent.
o An admin panel through which department can edit, update and
add financial aspects of road. Department can also upload Third
Party Validation of the road.

10. 5. GIS Based Land Record Management Information System
Land Record Management System (LRMIS)project was developedforThe
Board of Revenue, Government of Punjab. Government started
computerizing Land Records with overall objectives to improve service
delivery and to enhance the perceived levelof tenure security.
The project scope includedall over the Punjab districts, initially started from
the three districts (Lahore, Lodhran and Hafiz Abad) of Punjab.
GIS Based system having a mobile scanning capacity that will allow
available musavees (local maps) of all three districts to be scanned and
Geo-Referenced. Linkage of digitized musavees with Land Record
Management Information System (LRMIS). Published data over the web to
visualize the actual location, dimensionand detail information of ‘Khasra’
(Parcel) and provided editing functionalities for GIS cadasterdata.

12. 6. GIS Based Disease and Vector Data Analysis Tool Punjab
GOVT.
Disease TemporalAnalysis Tool was developed forThe Institute of
Public Health, Government of Punjab. Punjab was traumatized by the
worst epidemic of dengue,affecting thousands of people.Punjab
Government wanted a statistical assessmenttool which provides real
time town wise patient count, occupied and available beds in the
hospital. Two tools were developed,firstshows the statistical count of
diagnosed dengue patients and available beds information in the
hospital, meanwhile second tool showed how dengue epidemic
spread in the districts of Punjab.

13. FUTUREOF GIS?
The future of GIS in Pakistan is very optimistic.It’s poised for even
wider scale adoptionthan we’ve seen in recent decades,as more
organizations learn how much business value can come from geospatial
data. As trends like data analytics, mobility, augmented reality (AR), and
internet of things (IoT) continue to take off around the world, we can expect
geographic informationscience and technology not only to be transformed
but also to help change the way organizations utilize these technologies.