The US-Pakistani business tycoon Tanweer Ahmed who donated $9 million to Islamabad’s National University of Science & Technology (NUST), has said that he was motivated by Army Chief General Asim Munir’s vision for Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) development.
The Houston-based businessman Tanweer Ahmed donated $9 million to NUST last month to help the students from poor backgrounds to gain access to quality education through scholarships.
While talking to the media on Wednesday, Tanweer Ahmed said, “I was excited and thrilled when I came to know about the vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir who is passionate about the IT Sector. I believe that with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in which the Army has assumed an active role, that’s a brilliant approach to unlock the true IT potential of Pakistan.”
Tanweer Ahmed added: “I have conceived the idea of NUST Information Technology (IT) Tower for the youth of Pakistan for which COAS General Asim Munir is leading the effort to harmonize our endeavours. The steps taken by General Asim Munir are commendable and inspiring. No army chief has done as much as Gen Munir has done in just one year for the IT sector of Pakistan and for a clean national economy. He has taken excellent steps to put Pakistan’s economy on the right course.”
NUST has confirmed that Tanweer Ahmed has entered into a partnership with the university through an Endowment Fund for unprivileged students which will benefit nearly 200 students who would be able to get scholarships every year. University – $9 million being one of the single largest donations by any overseas Pakistani for any Pakistani
The business entrepreneur said Pakistan has essential infrastructure available along with significant public sector investment in resource development. “Pakistan has untapped digital potential of USD 59.6 billion (PKR 9.7 trillion) and FinTech potential of USD 35 billion by 2025. IT base potential is evidenced by a 47% growth in freelancing which stands at 4th in the world. Pakistan’s youth is 64% of the population under 30 years which is our biggest resource,” he added.
