Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the central role of the IT sector in driving Pakistan’s economic revival, noting that the industry has continued to grow despite persistent macroeconomic challenges.
While chairing a meeting of the private sector working group on information technology (IT), he welcomed the recommendations presented by the IT committee head, Asif Peer, describing them as timely and aligned with the government’s reform agenda.
The PM acknowledged that the industry has continued to grow despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
He said the rise in IT exports was extremely encouraging and reflected the resilience and potential of the sector.
The government was actively working to enhance the technical training of the IT workforce, introduce tax facilitation measures, and remove structural bottlenecks to support sustained growth, he also said.
He emphasised that every effort in technical education aimed to provide Pakistani youth with skills that meet global standards, enabling them to join the international IT market as skilled and dependable professionals.
The PM directed that further measures be taken to expand employment opportunities for young people, particularly through digital platforms and emerging technologies.
He further instructed the relevant ministries to enhance IT infrastructure across the country, emphasising that advancing a digital economy depends on citizens having access to reliable and affordable internet services.
During the meeting, the PM directed a high-level committee headed by the finance minister to review the recommendations presented and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks.
He was briefed on proposals aimed at expanding the digital economy, increasing IT exports, and implementing broader sectoral reforms, including the development of a data-driven governance model.
Private sector participants appreciated ongoing government initiatives, including efforts to increase export market share, the full digitisation of the Pakistan Software Export Board, the e-Rozgar scheme, and the strengthening of the startup and innovation ecosystem.
