Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Amin-ul-Haq expressed his resolve and determination to take Pakistan to the forefront of the digital world with a futuristic vision.
The minister, while addressing the graduation ceremony of 8th and 9th Cohorts of National Incubation Centre Karachi (NICK) at NED University of Engineering and Technology, said that multifaceted efforts were required by all the stakeholders for materializing the Vision 2025. The federal minister said that dedicated efforts by the Ministry resulted in the surge of Pakistan’s IT exports to $ 2.6 billion while we were fully determined to enhance the figure to $15 billion in the coming years.
Following the vision of Digital Pakistan, the IT Ministry has taken multiple steps for the promotion of the sector which resulted in the expansion of internet connectivity, broadband and cellular coverage in the country, he said adding that, nowadays, the number of mobile phone subscribers in the country had reached at 195 million against the earlier figure of 160 million in FY 2018-19. Referring to smart phone manufacturing in Pakistan, Amin ul Haq said that 22 million smart phones had been manufactured in the country that had ensured the availability of smart phone at a lower price.
For the first time, smart phone was exported from the country as well, he revealed. The IT sector has attracted foreign direct investment of $ 7.1 billion while the sector has contributed as taxes of Rs.11.20 billion to national kitty, he added.
