ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said that with focus on training of human resource as per contemporary needs, enabling environment and by imbibing spirit of entrepreneurship in youth, true potential of Pakistan’s IT sector could be achieved.

“This will turn-around and uplift our economy in short to medium term, Inshallah...I assure you of government’s full support to help you explore untapped potential in Pakistan’s IT sector,” he said. Addressing Tech Destination Pakistan event which featured launch of E-Rozgar Centres in country he said government through its Digital Policy envisioned bringing economic prosperity and citizen empowerment through digital transformation as it was working on vision of ‘Digital Pakistan’ through multiple cross-sectoral digital transformation initiatives.

He said government was taking every step possible to facilitate IT sector by creating an enabling environment and an ecosystem through broad range of legislative, policy, regulatory and operational initiatives with focus on inclusion to help reap full benefits of digitalisation.

He said IT sector was government’s focus for achieving sustainable economic development and realize full potential of technological advancement. He said that Pakistan had experienced significant growth in information and communication technology sector in recent years. Country’s ICT industry has become an important contributor to economy, generating revenue, attracting FDI and creating jobs, he added.

“We are exporting IT and IT enabled services to more than 190 countries. Our IT industry is an integral part of knowledge economy thereby earning its repute as leading offshore outsourcing destination through innovation, availability of talent, government incentives and other initiatives for IT sector. With over 90 percent tele density, Pakistan was recently ranked as 2nd most financially attractive destination in world for offshore outsourcing of IT and IT enabled Services (ITeS). Pakistan was also ranked as third most popular country for freelancing,” he said.

He said Special Investment Facilitation Council and its various committees had already started to deliver and perform their role in an active manner. Among other priority sectors, inclusion of IT sector under umbrella of SIFC demonstrates commitment of our government to further promoting ICT industry.

Highlighting milestones achieved by government, he mentioned 50 percent foreign exchange retention, up-skilling and re-skilling of 100,000 individuals, centralised test for IT students, establishment of 10,000 Pakistan e-Rozgar Centres, Pakistan Startup Fund and approval of Digital Economy Enhancement Project, approval of Telecom Infrastructure Sharing Framework, Establishment of Telecom Appellate Tribunal, and National Space Policy.

Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif said event was continuation of journey started six months ago under Tech Destination initiative. He said government was well on its way to achieve goals as substantial work had been done in this regard.

Federal IT Secretary Hassan Nasir Jami said within short span of time, IT ministry had introduced multiple initiatives to enhance IT exports and facilitate freelancers. He said IT Ministry was committed to developing an IT ecosystem and called upon entrepreneurs, students and developers to take advantages of opportunities available.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 12 2024

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