ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced that the country’s caretaker government has successfully achieved 13 out of 15 goals aimed at promoting the IT sector and enhancing its exports within a brief period of five months.
In a video message, Dr. Saif highlighted the accomplishments made during the caretaker setup, emphasizing the significant strides taken to bolster the IT and telecom sector. He outlined several key initiatives and policy interventions that contributed to the sector’s growth and development.
One major achievement mentioned by Dr. Saif was the facilitation of IT companies to retain 50% of their export revenue in dollars within Pakistan, enabling them to conduct international transactions without restrictions. This policy change resulted in a notable 32% increase in IT exports within the last 60 days.
Additionally, Dr. Saif emphasized the establishment of the Telecom Tribunal, fulfilling a longstanding demand of the telecom sector. The specialized Tribunal aims to expedite the resolution of legal disputes, thus fostering rapid progress in the telecom industry.
Other initiatives highlighted by Dr. Saif include the implementation of the Right of Way Policy, the establishment of a research and development fund to support mobile phone manufacturing companies, and the introduction of standardized quality tests for IT graduates. Furthermore, measures have been taken to revamp IT education in collaboration with various entities, including HEC and industry associations.
Facilitation of Freelancers in Pakistan
Dr. Saif also addressed the long-standing demand of freelancers to receive payments through PayPal, stating that while PayPal itself is not directly available in Pakistan, an agreement has been reached to channel remittances through PayPal via a third party.
Moreover, the approval of the nation’s first space policy by the federal cabinet will allow international companies to provide communication services through low-orbit communication satellites, marking a significant advancement in satellite communication technology.
The government’s commitment to establishing 10,000 e-Rozgar centers across the country equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for freelancers and startups further underscores its dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the IT sector.
Dr. Saif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing the best facilities and support to freelancers and startups, thereby creating a conducive environment for their growth and success.
