Punjab moves towards data-driven governance through digital M&E

LAHORE:The Punjab government has significantly transformed its monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms through a newly-introduced GIS-based Real-Time Monitoring and Evaluation System (RTMES).

According to the data, between January and April 2025, the number of completed M&E reports in Punjab surged from 150 to over 700 compared to the same period in 2024. This threefold increase is attributed to the system’s transition from a manual to a fully digital mode introducing not just speed, but also a new level of accountability and real-time accessibility.

The RTMES system enables end-to-end digitisation of monitoring processes. At the core of this transformation lies not only technology, but also a strong governance mindset to promote transparency, data integrity, and evidence-based policy feedback.

An official of the monitoring and evaluation Sunday stated that at present, senior policymakers, including Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, P&D Board Chairman Nabeel Awan, and the strategic leadership of Director General Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Kiran Khurshid, and line departments have real-time access to monitoring data via integrated dashboards. These dashboards provide spatial, graphical, and progress-based insights on projects across Punjab, bringing a new dimension of visibility to public sector performance.

The RTMES mobile application and dashboard suite combine Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, mobile attendance, vehicle and officer tracking, biometric reporting, and document digitisation. Officers conducting field visits now log real-time updates with geo-tagged photos and drone video evidence. In a step further, artificial intelligence is being deployed to analyse these images and generate automated observations and recommendations-enabling quicker analysis and red-flag identification.

What sets this system apart is not only its technological depth but its systemic alignment. RTMES is fully integrated with the Smart Monitoring of Development Projects (SMDP) portal, ensuring that project progress is instantly visible to all tiers of governance.