The surge in Pakistan’s IT export remittances to $3.223 billion during FY 2023-24, compared to $2.596 billion in FY 2022-23, is certainly a matter of satisfaction. June 2024 alone witnessed a remarkable 32.44% increase in ICT services export remittances compared to same month last year. The support from Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Ministry of IT and Pakistan Software Export Board has also played a crucial role in this regard.
However, while this progress is commendable, these figures are mere peanuts when compared to our neighbouring country India, whose IT-related exports soared to $123b in 2023. This stark difference underscores the fact that while our neighbour created conducive environment and ample training programmes for its youth, we largely neglected our potential despite advantage of a significant youth bulge.
Extraordinary measures are urgently required to produce a skilled IT workforce, which will not only boost our exports but also provide employment opportunities to our youth, both online and abroad. In today’s world, significance of IT cannot be overstated. It is a driving force behind innovation, economic growth, and societal transformation. IT solutions enhance efficiency, foster connectivity, and create new opportunities across various sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and agriculture. Nations leading in IT not only improve their global competitiveness but also ensure better standards of living for their citizens. Thus, investing in IT is not just an economic strategy but also a crucial step towards overall national development.
Though Pakistan is among top-ranking countries in freelancing, we need strategies that fully exploit potential of our youth. During a visit to under-construction Islamabad IT park, being developed in collaboration with South Korea, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced plans to establish more such parks across the country. This initiative will indeed create immense job opportunities for youth and bolster our IT exports.
The Islamabad IT Park is particularly noteworthy for its planned linkages with academia and its provision of 120 offices for IT-enabled companies. This will significantly promote research and development within the country. South Korea, a leader in technology and IT, provides a model for collaboration that can greatly benefit Pakistan. To maximise this potential, special focus must be given to quality training in the IT field.
The diversity of IT requires tailoring our training programmes to the interests and needs of our youth. Short-term courses could be introduced to produce a workforce that meets both domestic and international demand. We firmly believe that with right emphasis on this sector, we can transform the economic landscape of our country.
