e-policy
Using Internet to support the development of transport sector policy in Pakistan




Achieving an effective consultation process is fraught with difficulties. It is always difficult to ensure that:

• All opinions are heard

• Experience from other countries is readily available for review

• The results of discussions are freely and widely available

• People who cannot travel to meeting locations can still contribute

• The timing and location of events is widely known

• Preparatory material is available before meetings

All of these difficulties can be addressed through the use of the Internet. The potential for communication through the Internet is not limited to the number of people who have direct access to the Internet. 

The media - the newspapers and television - have access to the Internet, and they can become a vehicle to spread information about important activities much more widely.

The schedule of events and activities can be published on the Internet, putting details into the public domain rather than restricting circulation to specific people.

Similarly, papers before meetings, and minutes and the results of discussions can be made freely and publicly available very soon after a meeting.

The Internet offers low cost communication between many towns and communities in Pakistan, making it possible for people to contribute who would not have the time or money to travel to meetings held elsewhere.

Only one member of a discussion group needs to have access to the Internet to print and circulate briefing notes prepared elsewhere, and to send minutes of the meeting and conclusions back to a central coordinator. In this way, discussions can take place simultaneously in different towns, and the results can rapidly be consolidated afterwards.

• Live Internet chat and discussion forums open up new possibilities for exchanging views, experience and opinions, in the search for better solutions. 

• They also allow experts and stakeholders in other countries to contribute to discussions. 

• A definitive record of the consultation process can be maintained on the Internet for future reference.

• Over time, if consultation processes in different countries utilize the Internet, it will be possible to exchange experience and ideas between countries. 

New ideas always take time and effort to implement. The potential gain in making full use of the Internet in transport sector consultation should be worth the extra effort.