AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that a comprehensive digital ecosystem and supporting infrastructure are being established with the goal of enhancing IT exports to $30 billion. He made this announcement while chairing a meeting to assess the progress of reforms in the IT sector and the restructuring of the National Information Technology Board.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Information Technology to develop a detailed roadmap to achieve annual targets and implement necessary measures to exceed the $30 billion export goal, following last year’s successful target of $3.8 billion. He emphasized the government’s commitment to digitizing Pakistan, boosting the economy, and aligning it with modern global standards.
Prime Minister Sharif also instructed the restructuring of the National Information Technology Board and advocated for the recruitment of top talent from the market. He praised the establishment of centers aimed at empowering youth, particularly women, to achieve self-reliance in the IT sector.
He highlighted that the implementation of e-office systems has facilitated paperless governance in government offices, saving both time and resources. Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that thousands of young people are finding respectable employment through the Digital Youth Hub, and the government is providing them with education and IT skills to enhance their competitiveness in the international market.
The meeting was informed that the National Incubation Center has supported 386 new startups, sent 14 to the international level, and established 40 e-employment centers in 26 cities nationwide. Investment agreements and memorandums of understanding worth $700 million have been signed.
Further details from the meeting indicated that approximately 315,000 students, including around 115,000 women, received professional IT training to ensure equal opportunities for women in the Information Technology field. The previous fiscal year saw telecom connections surpass the 200 million mark, with one million new internet users and a 24% increase in internet usage.