By Waseem Abbasi

Imagine how much simple life would be if you could handle tasks like obtaining a land record, reporting to the police, consulting a doctor, baking and selling goods from home, or even applying for a passport, all from the comfort of your own home. This dream has become a reality in Saudi Arabia, where you can accomplish all these tasks with a simple smartphone app. Surprisingly, many people are unaware of how rapidly Saudi Arabia has advanced in e-governance in the years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, surpassing many developed nations.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, I and three other Pakistani journalists were pleasantly surprised when we saw the latest Internet 5G mark on our local SIM cards as soon as we arrived in the capital city of Riyadh. This was our first hint that life in Saudi Arabia had become incredibly fast, similar to the speed of data transfers and internet access. As we spent a few days in the country, we discovered that Saudi Arabia has an app for almost everything, and the government operates primarily through the internet.

Riyadh, a magnet for investors and football fans

Riyadh, the capital, has become a magnet for investors and football enthusiasts. Riyadh Airport is now among the busiest airports globally, and the city itself has transformed into one of the most bustling business hubs worldwide. New investments, companies, and opportunities are continually emerging, indicating that Saudi Arabia is focused on development and diversification beyond its oil-dependent past.

Exploring the Boulevard City of Riyadh feels like being in a European city, with dazzling shops, colorful fountains, cinemas adorned with handprints of famous actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, game areas, and inviting restaurants. Additionally, the city has become a paradise for football fans, with Saudi football clubs securing top talent like Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema. This single move by the Saudi leadership brought in billions of dollars in investment and publicity, exposing people from other countries to Saudi culture and lifestyle.

Saudi e-governance, a stunning success story

What particularly caught my attention during the visit was Saudi Arabia's remarkable success in e-governance. I had previously visited China, where WeChat was widely used for shopping and payments, and I considered China a leader in using the internet for convenience. However, Saudi Arabia's comprehensive approach to e-governance, with dedicated apps for nearly every official task, left me pleasantly surprised.

For instance, when a colleague fell ill, we needed antibiotics, which typically require a prescription in Pakistan. However, our host informed us that this wasn't a problem in Saudi Arabia. With the "Sehati App," you could obtain a doctor's prescription online, day or night, and then pick up the prescribed medication within minutes from a local store.

One of the most astonishing aspects was the ease of property transactions. In Pakistan, dealing with the Patwari (a land revenue officer) can be a frustrating and time-consuming process when buying or selling property. In Saudi Arabia, property transfers can be completed in as little as two hours. You can view the owner's profile and property photos online, transfer money through a court-linked account to the property owner, and have the property legally transferred to your name – all within two hours, provided both parties agree. This is a stark contrast to the lengthy and often corrupt process in Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia also offers apps to support women in selling homemade food or bakery items, and the government provides special subsidies to assist small entrepreneurs. Additionally, the "Cloud Kitchen" app enables talented chefs to launch their online restaurants without the need for significant investment. Whether it's filing a police report, registering a vehicle, or obtaining official documents, everything is seamlessly accessible online.

Scholarship policy, a secret recipe of success

We learned that the foundation of Saudi Arabia's current development journey was laid at the beginning of this century when the government sent millions of young Saudis to Western universities on scholarships. These educated individuals returned home and began reshaping their country. Today, young Saudi talents are driving the country's economy across various sectors, from IT to healthcare, under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This transformation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which is creating new job opportunities and fostering innovation in the city of Riyadh.

We encountered numerous young Saudis in Riyadh who are taking on leadership roles in health, engineering, and IT sectors. Proficient in English and possessing an international mindset, these young Saudis are open to diverse nationalities and cultures, further propelling innovation in Saudi Arabia.

It's unfortunate that Pakistan has also sent a substantial number of students abroad on scholarships since 2002, but similar results have not materialized. This may be due to a lack of opportunities upon their return or the fact that some students choose not to return to Pakistan.

Notably, Saudi women are at the forefront of this development journey. Highly educated women have assumed significant positions in media, corporate sector and even within the ministries, making a positive impact on Saudi society.

— Author Waseem Abbasi is a Pakistani journalist who recently visited Saudi Arabia along with three other journalists for an SRMG training. He can be found at X as @wabbasi007