Prime Minister Gilani’s opening remarks during Information and Communication Technology’s Research and Development Fund Meeting

Islamabad: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is earning around US $ 1.4 Billion through IT related exports annually. He observed that information and communication technology has become a strategic business necessity, therefore, the Government is giving foremost priority to develop IT in the country in view of its importance in today’s rapidly growing communication system.

Chairing a high level meeting of Information and Technology Board for utilization of R and D fund at PM’s House this afternoon, the Prime Minister said that the phenomenal growth of this august sector is evident from the fact that 110 Universities in the country are offering discipline of information and communication technology (ICT). These Universities are producing 20,000 ICT Graduates annually; over 125,000 professionals are working in the country, he added. He stated that more than 1000 IT companies, including 60 international companies are operating in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister observed that developing economies are swiftly moving from industrial to information-based economies. If we have to compete with the economies of the region, we need to rapidly adopt the modern information technology in our economy, he added.

The Prime Minister stressed upon the need that the research and development fund should be equitably and optimally used for research and human resource. He expressed his confidence that ICT R and D Fund will be utilized to promote IT in line with the Government’s IT vision and policy.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com