ISLAMABAD: Dr. Umar Saif, Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, said on Monday that IT exports have registered a steady increase over the past five months, with a notable 13 percent surge observed in the last 30 days.
Talking to a private news channel, the minister said that if this momentum continues, Pakistan may soon achieve its target of reaching 10 billion dollars in IT exports.
Acknowledging the vital role of the IT industry in the national economy, he stressed on the significance of providing ample incentives, facilities, and rewards to support its growth.
Over the past 5 months, multiple initiatives have been taken to boost IT exports and facilitate industry growth, the minister said.
One crucial aspect underlined by Dr. Saif was the necessity for quality education and skill development among the new generation to compete effectively in the international market.
To address this, Pakistan has notably invested in skills training, with new courses launched in universities, supported by approximately five billion rupees in funding.
Dr. Saif said that more than 75,000 IT students graduate annually from universities across Pakistan. The government is making plans to test and qualify these graduates, aiming to integrate 30,000-35,000 of them into the industry each year, with a broader goal of adding 100,000 individuals to the workforce annually.
Pakistan’s Strong Presence in Global Freelancing Market
Highlighting Pakistan’s strong presence in the international online freelancing market, the minister said that the country boasts more than 1.5 million registered freelancers, ranking second globally after the US. To further bolster this sector, initiatives like the ‘e-rozgar’ program have been launched, intending to establish ten thousand ‘e-rozgar’ centers nationwide, he said.
