Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja has pointed out that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan’s IT exports have surged by 27% year-on-year, while the country has secured a Tier One ranking in the global cyber-security index. Speaking at a function in Islamabad on Monday to honour companies making significant contributions to the sector, she lauded the achievements of the country’s IT industry. The Minister underscored the government’s commitment to fostering the IT sector through comprehensive policies, encouraging innovation and competitiveness within the industry.
Pakistan’s IT sector has a lot of potential and according to pragmatic estimates, export revenues could increase between $10 to 18 billion by 2028, making the country one of the IT hubs of the globe. Just a few days back, Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Muhammad Ismail also spoke high of the sector when he remarked that IT exports have stabilized at around $300 million a month, which means the country can easily achieve the target of $4 billion during the current year. It is heartening to note that the Government has wisely decided to emulate the good initiatives of the Punjab Government in the realm of digitization, especially with respect to promotion of e-governance, computerization of land records and e-complaint systems, which are contributing their share in realization of the goal of good governance.
It is a matter of appreciation that the Punjab Land Records Authority has completed computerization of land records of 141 cooperative housing societies in the province, which would ensure credibility of all transactions. No doubt, both the Finance Minister and the IT Minister have a reason to derive satisfaction from the steady growth of the sector but it is also a reality that what we have achieved so far is a peanut and optimum potential can be exploited if an enabling environment is provided for the purpose. Their first priority should be to stop local companies from shifting their headquarters abroad because of excessive taxation besides a satisfactory solution to issues like slow Internet and frequent shut down of IT services.
