Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin-Ul-Haque Friday called for solving problems of the IT and Telecom industry and giving maximum relief for the enhancement of the country’s Digital Economy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also has a special interest in promoting the IT industry, the minister said this while attending the preliminary meeting of the PM’s Advisory Council on IT and Digital Economy.
The meeting was Chaired by Minister IT and Telecom Syed Amin-Ul-Haque while Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail, SAPM on Youth Affairs, Shaza Fatima, Senator Afnanullah Khan, Secretary IT Mohsin Mushtaque Chandna, Additional Secretary MOITT Aysha Humaira, Former Secretary IT Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Representative from FBR, State Bank, USF and other members of the council representing IT & Telecom Industry attended the meeting.
The minister constitute three committees for IT Export, Personal Data Protection and Telecom Sector growth.
The committees will finalize its recommendations in a week’s time which will be presented to the PM who is the Chairman of the Advisory Council, said a news release.
In order to enhance the Digital Economic activities in the country, the meeting discussed CPEC projects related to IT and Telecom, Broadband Services in un-served and under-served areas to provide digital solutions on micro level.
Matters related to IT and Telecom Industry and proposals from the stockholders discussed deeply to enhance the digital economy of Pakistan by identifying the key areas of growth, their challenges and way forward to overcome these challenges.
On Data Protection Law Member IT Syed Junaid Imam and Member Legal Babar Suhail, while Member Telecom Muhammad Umar Malik, MD PSEB Osman Nasir, Chairman PASHA Badar Khushnood and CEO Jazz Amir Ibrahim briefed Advisory Council about the issues related to IT and Telecom Industry and suggested key points to resolve and boost digital economy.
Council Members suggested that there should not be any new taxes and procedures for IT, Freelancers, E-commerce and Startups to facilitate domestic digital transformation and growth in Exports.
Otherwise, people will be encouraged to park a significant portion of their earnings abroad which will be a loss to the exchequer.
IT and ITeS is the fastest growing and lowest investment option to grow Pakistan’s forex reserves so we have to ensure ease of doing business and policy continuity as much as possible.—APP
