Govt aims to accelerate digitization forsocio-economic development: IT state minister

KARACHI: State Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, inaugurating the 2nd edition of ITCN Asia 2024 on Tuesday, said the government aims to put in place an accelerated digitization ecosystem to enable socio-economic development, expand the knowledge-based economy, and spur economic growth.

She pointed out the importance of the rapid adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) for our country’s socio-economic advancement and added the importance of creating a conducive environment for the IT industry.

“We are committed to holistically advancing our IT ecosystem, from crafting relevant policies and legislation to nurturing a culture of innovation. These efforts are yielding significant results, as evidenced by the consistent growth of the IT industry in terms of company numbers, revenue, exports, and workforce, especially this year, considering we have experienced 24 per cent growth in IT exports reaching $3.22 billion. This growth reflects the confidence in our local companies’ ability to deliver IT solutions and services that meet the expectations of international clients,” she added.

“Our Digital Pakistan policy serves as a blueprint for digital transformation across government and private sectors, ensuring that Pakistan remains at the forefront of technological advancement,” she remarked.

Shaza Fatima said the government has prioritized establishing software technology parks and special technology zones across the country. e-Rozgar centres are another milestone, providing working spaces equipped with facilities and training resources to bolster the economy.

Leveraging its vast pool of approximately one million freelancers, Pakistan ranks among the top countries in the gig economy, and tapping into this potential is integral to achieving the goal of reaching $10 billion in the coming years, she further said.

Earlier in the inaugural conference, experts from Pakistan’s IT and business sectors urged policymakers to consider the broader impact of IT policies on the economy, businesses, and the country’s global reputation. Emphasizing Pakistan’s potential to become a regional and international IT hub, experts stressed the need for conducive policies to facilitate growth, particularly in IT exports and freelancer payments.

Chairman of the Pakistan Software House Association (P@SHA) Zohaib Khan appreciated the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for its role in boosting Pakistan’s economy and investment, particularly in the IT sector. He noted the continuity of IT development over the past three terms and highlighted growth in IT exports, which reached $3.2 billion in the 2023-24 financial year.

Zohaib Khan also said the local industry explored various new export destinations in the last few years, which has strengthened the country’s brand worldwide and enhanced export earnings, adding that Pakistan has talented human capital, which has proved its mettle by developing various solutions for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the African continent, hence, we need to focus on growing its made-in-Pakistan brands.Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce Yousef Hasan Khalawi highlighted Pakistan’s potential to become a global hub of IT, mainly in the fields of agriculture and IT. He pledged the chamber’s support in helping the country achieve this goal. “Technology has transformed the dynamics of education, agriculture, health, and other crucial sectors,” he said, noting the significant impact of mobile phones and connectivity in improving life, particularly in rural areas. Jawad also advised companies to obtain ISO 2022 certification to access larger data pools and cautioned that the Central Bank still needs to be ready for a digital currency.

Other speakers included Project Director ITCN Asia Muhammad Umair Nizam, former P@SHA President Jahan Ara, and CEO of Pakistan Software Exchange Board (PSEB) Syed Sohail Javaad.