Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed satisfaction on the measures taken to enhance the IT exports to 25 billion dollars in the next five years. Chairing a review meeting on matters pertaining to the IT sector in Islamabad today, he instructed to simplify the existing right-of-way regulations to promote broadband services through fiber optics in the country.
According to Radio Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif further directed to provide IT training to the youth as per demand of the global market to increase employment opportunities abroad. He instructed to facilitate visa acquisition for businesspersons interested in coming to Pakistan in the IT sector. Besides, he gave directions to issue visas within 24 hours to businesspersons hiring Pakistani companies in the IT sector on the recommendations of the Pakistan Software Export Board.
The Prime Minister also directed to evolve a strategy for the marketing of Pakistan’s IT sector. He said IT infrastructure should be further improved to enhance country’s exports.
The meeting was given detailed briefing about the measures taken for enhancing IT exports to 25 billion dollars. It was told that work is continuing at a fast pace on providing public’s access to smart phones, expanding broadband services to more areas, increasing internet speed, and achieving other targets. It was said that the number of freelancers in the country will be increased from the existing 1.4 million to two million in the next two years. Over 300,000 individuals will be trained through the DigiSkills program by June this year and this number will be taken to 900,000 in the next two years.
The meeting was apprised that the consultation on the national AI policy is ongoing and will be presented for approval next month.