PM chairs private sector working group meeting on IT reforms for economic growth

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a meeting of the private sector working group on the IT sector to review proposals aimed at promoting economic development through digital reforms.

During the meeting, recommendations were presented to the prime minister for reforms in the IT sector, including measures to expand the digital economy, boost e-exports and strengthen the overall technology ecosystem. The proposals were prepared by a committee headed by Asif Peer, whose recommendations were welcomed by the prime minister.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that despite economic challenges, Pakistan’s IT sector had shown encouraging growth, terming the gradual increase in IT exports a positive sign. He said the government was actively working to improve technical training of the IT workforce, provide tax facilitation and address other related issues.

He emphasized that all initiatives for technical training were focused on preparing Pakistani youth as a skilled and experienced workforce for the global IT market. The prime minister directed that further steps be taken to create employment opportunities for young people and instructed relevant authorities to improve IT infrastructure across the country.

Highlighting the importance of connectivity, the prime minister said the promotion of the digital economy depended on consumers’ access to the internet. He directed the high-level committee, formed under his chairmanship and comprising key economic stakeholders, to review the recommendations and submit a report within two weeks.

The meeting was also briefed on the development of a data-driven governance model. Participants appreciated the government’s initiatives, including efforts to increase export market share, complete digitization of the Pakistan Software Export Board, the e-employment scheme and the promotion of a startup and innovation ecosystem, particularly with private sector involvement.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Dr Ahsan Iqbal, Jam Kamal Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr Mosaddeq Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, the Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, and senior officials from relevant institutions.