Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Chinese Company commits $700M for IT and Smart City Projects in Punjab

Chinese Company

ISLAMABAD: Chengdu, a leading Chinese company, has announced a significant investment of $700 million in Punjab’s IT and smart city initiatives. The announcement came during a high-level meeting between a Chinese delegation and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad. The delegation included Chengdu’s General Coordinator for the ICT Hub, Ms. Scarlett, and Huawei’s … Read more

GITEX Global 2024: Pakistan, Huawei Make Notable Impact in AI, Cybersecurity, and IT

GITEX Global 2024

At GITEX Global 2024, held in Dubai, Pakistan and Huawei showcased substantial advancements in the fields of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and information technology. This premier technology conference recognized Pakistan as the “Official Tech Destination of the Year” and highlighted Huawei’s state-of-the-art security solutions. Pakistan at GITEX Global 2024 Pakistan’s influence was evident with the inauguration … Read more

Pakistani IT Firms Gear Up for GITEX Participation

Pakistani IT Firms

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) Chairman, Sajjad Mustafa Syed, has announced that major IT service providers, startups, and exporters from Pakistan will participate in the GITEX event in Dubai, scheduled for October 14-18. Syed highlighted the significance of GITEX for Pakistan’s economy and its export potential, noting that the event will feature representation from … Read more

Aurangzeb terms agriculture, IT as backbone of country’s economy

Aurangzeb

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said that agriculture and information technology (IT) were the backbone of country’s economy and the real levers of economic growth.

Aurangzeb made these comments during a meeting with Deputy Director in the Office of International Affairs at the US Commodity Future Trading Commission (CFTC), Kevin Piccoli who called on the minister here.

Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Akif Saeed and senior officials from the Finance Division and officials from US Embassy in Pakistan also attended the meeting.

They discussed the role of agricultural commodities market and the collaboration between SECP and CFTC for an ongoing series of capacity-building training sessions on the development of commodities futures market, regulation and oversight leading to a well-functioning commodities market in Pakistan.

On the occasion, the minister welcomed the initiative and highlighted the role of agriculture in Pakistan’s economy, particularly its contribution to the GDP of the country.

He noted that while country’s economy during FY2024 grew by 2.38 per cent, agriculture emerged as a main driver of economic growth, registering an impressive growth of 6.25 per cent due to double- digit growth in output of major crops.

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Amin elected Chairman of NA Standing Committee for IT  

Amin

ISLAMABAD: Syed Amin-ul-Haque was elected as the Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Saturday.

Member of the National Assembly Syed Mustafa Kamal proposed Amin-ul-Haque’s name, which was seconded by Ali Qasim Gillani and Gohar Khan.

The newly elected Chairman expressed his gratitude to the committee members for unanimously electing him.

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Punjab CM encourages youth to boost IT skills

Punjab CM encourages youth to boost IT skills

The Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, has encouraged the youth of the country to enhance their skills in information technology (IT). Addressing an event in Lahore, CM Naqvi lavished his praise on youngest Microsoft professional, Arfa Karim. “Arfa Karim is a girl that we all remember with pride.” [embedpost slug=”citi-plans-to-cut-20000-jobs-by-2026/”] CM … Read more

Federal IT Ministry starts preparations for launch of 5G

Pakistan Set to Introduce 5G by August 2024
  • Federal IT Minister Dr Umar Saif issued instructions to PTA.
  • The 5G auction could fetch millions of dollars to government.
  • The spectrum auction is likely to take place after 10 month.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has started preparations for the launch of 5G.

Sources say that Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr. Umar Saif has issued instructions to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and related officers regarding the issuance of 5G.

According to IT Ministry sources, the 5G auction could fetch millions of dollars to the government, while the spectrum auction is likely to take place after 10 months.

According to the sources, Pakistan’s mobile companies are currently using around 367 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum, while the spectrum available through reforming will be auctioned to more than 600 megahertz(MHz).

Sources say that the spectrum auction will also provide prompt redressal of network-related complaints of users.

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Pakistan has all ingredients to tap IT exports worth $25 bln: PM

IT exports
  • He said investment in IT sector can fetch quick rewards.
  • PM said economic revival plan will be implemented.
  •  He said IT industry will have all facilitation.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan had all the ingredients to increase its Information Technology (IT) exports to the tune of $25 billion in two to three years.

“Investment in the IT sector can fetch quick rewards and dividends and go a long way in addressing our unemployment problem,” he said on his tweet handle account.

The PM, who a day earlier attended the national seminar on untapping the IT potential of Pakistan, said the event held under the banner of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was a reflection of our collective resolve to make Pakistan an IT hub.

“The seminar, attended by all stakeholders from the public & private sectors, laid the groundwork for an IT revolution that the country so desperately needs,” he said.

He said, “The SIFC, which represents the whole-of-the-government approach, will ensure the provision of policy continuity and predictability in the IT, agriculture, mines and minerals, and defense production sectors.”

“Governments may come and go but the economic revival plan will be implemented with the same energy and passion,” he said.

“The IT industry will have all the facilitation, and it needs to grow under a one-window arrangement.”

“It is now on the industry leaders to access the most of the opportunity. I have my full faith in their ability,” he added.

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President urges varsities to produce more IT graduates

President urges
  • He said while chairing 1st meeting of Senate of  AWCI.
  • Arif Alvi said that Pakistan must invest in IT sector.
  • He said that Pakistan only produced 35,000 graduates in IT.

KARACHI: President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the universities to further improve the standard of education and training to produce high-quality and skilled graduates, especially in the field of IT.

He added that Information Technology and Emerging Technologies had great scope and potential, and universities needed to produce more graduates in these fields by utilizing online and hybrid modes of learning.

The President expressed these views while chairing the 1st meeting of the Senate of Pakistan Air Force Air War College Institute (AWCI), Karachi.

Addressing the meeting, the President urged the need to make faster decisions to keep pace with the latest trends and developments in the world. He said that Pakistan must invest in the intellectual development of its human resources which was vital for its socio-economic development.

He said that Pakistan must bring 22 million out-of-school children to schools, besides improving the enrolment rate in higher educational institutions. He said that in Pakistan, only 9% of the students went to universities after F.Sc whereas, in India and Bangladesh the enrolment rate was between 20-25%.

The President said that Pakistan only produced 35,000 graduates in IT and related fields every year which was not adequate to meet the needs of the market. He added that Pakistan must improve the number of graduates in IT and related disciplines to keep pace with the rest of the world.

He also urged the universities to utilize their physical infrastructure efficiently and introduce multiple shifts in universities, besides increasing the quantum of online education to increase the number of students in universities.

The President highlighted that 52% of cyber security experts in the world had no degrees and they equipped themselves with skills through online education. He said that Pakistan had introduced an online programme, digiskills, for youth’s skill development in the field of IT, which was a great success as over 2.5 million people had benefitted from this programme so far.

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Ecommerce Gateway to hold IT exhibition

Ecommerce Gateway to hold IT exhibition

KARACHI: Ecommerce Gateway will organise the three-day 21st ITCN Asia at Karachi Expo Centre from August 24, to provide an opportunity for the tech ecosystem of Pakistan to gather under one roof, a statement said.

Federal Minister Information Technology Syed Aminul Haq will inaugurate the exhibition, which serves as the platform for promotion of information technology and guidance to the youth in the country.

Ecommerce Gateway Vice President Umair Nizam said that the ITCN Asia 2022 will be unique in many aspects this year. In view of post pandemic global dynamics, the exhibition and conferences will benefit the new generation, he added.

Nizam expects that over 50,000 people will attend the three-day event. He acknowledged the assistance and support of the technology ministry in holding the event. The event will also host robotics competitions.

The event also includes a number of seminars, where world acclaimed industry experts will share their insights on IT, e-commerce, software development, startups, robotics and retail tech.

Over 1,500 brands representing 800 companies will participate in the exhibition spanning over four halls. The event will open scores of startup opportunities.

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Advisory body opposes new IT taxes

The advisory council’s first meeting was place on Friday at the Ministry of IT and Telecom. Council members advised against additional taxes or regulations for IT, freelancers, e-commerce, and startups. The national exchequer will suffer losses if the IT industry’s players are not obliged to park a sizable portion of their earnings abroad Members of … Read more

Motive brings AI Connect to Pakistan

Motive brings AI Connect to Pakistan

Pakistan is the sixth most populous country. Motive built its AI team in Lahore. Motive is holding its first AI conference in Pakistan. Motive (previously KeepTruckin) is a success in Pakistan. Global firm having offices in US, Canada, Pakistan, India, Estonia, and Taiwan. It provides AI to underserved physical economy businesses including haulage, construction, energy, … Read more

Microsoft makes time management easy with Outlook bookings

Microsoft makes time management easy with Outlook bookings

Outlook’s “Bookings with me” helps people plan appointments and manage your time. Viva Sales is a new sales experience to drive customer relationships and sales. Microsoft has updated Word’s online Designer with more suggestion. Microsoft has recapped the new Microsoft 365 features from the past month, as it does every month. This time, the focus … Read more

CIOs predict robust IT funding despite the recession

CIOs predict robust IT funding despite the recession

CIOs say they’re under pressure to increase certain IT investments. Covid-19 and cloud computing have emphasized business technology. Gartner VP John-David Lovelock said 90% of a CIO’s spending is cloud subscriptions. CIOs say they’re under pressure to increase certain IT investments and lower others as recession worries build. They don’t foresee as much tightening as … Read more

PSEB launches Technology Marketing Program in effort to reach $10 billion in exports in 5 years

PSEB

The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) begins developing a Technology Marketing Export Program Framework. It is being developed in order to boost IT and ITeS exports. Moreover, the motive is to meet the $10 billion export objective set for the next five years. The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) begins developing a Technology Marketing Export … Read more

IT Ministry defies the rules by nominating the same Executive Director for the sixth time in a row

IT

Husnain Abbas Kazmi is submitted for the post of acting charge of ED for the sixth consecutive term. On July 2, 2022, the DG administration’s MP-II scale tenure would also come to an end. The ministry of IT wants to wrap up budget-related issues with its affiliated department. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom … Read more

NITB successfully implements E-Office in federal government ministries

NITB

NITB completes a major milestone by effectively integrating the Electronic Filing System. NITB performs task in order to support the federal government’s e-governance culture. The E-Office saved the government millions of dollars. The National Information Technology Board (NITB) completes a major milestone by effectively integrating the Electronic Filing System (E-Office). The combination is happening across … Read more

GCC undergoing technology boom; women feel left out

technology

Technology is one of the world’s fastest expanding businesses, and the Arab Gulf is widely seen as one of its worldwide hubs. Dubai, called the “tech metropolis of the Arab world,” is at the epicenter of the region’s innovation landscape. The UAE’s commercial capital grew throughout the COVID-19 epidemic, possibly due to its choice to … Read more

Accounting and HR teams are interdependent, as per business leaders

business leaders

The ICMA International and HR Dost on Saturday organized a communication on ‘collaborative management on finance and HR’. HR experts and finance officials of various corporations participated in the event and expressed their perspectives on the interdependence of HR and finance departments in firms. It became said that HR specialists knew the language of expertise … Read more

Cordoba to acquire 50% stake in CC Retail

Cordoba

KARACHI: The board of directors of Cordoba Logistics and Ventures Limited (CLVL) has approved to acquire a 50 per cent stake in Children Clothing Retail (Private) Limited, a bourse filing said on Thursday. With an investment of Rs65 million, CC Retail will become a subsidiary of CLVL on the transfer of 50.0002 per cent stakes … Read more

Pakistan-Indonesia negotiate trade, goods agreement: envoy

Pakistan-Indonesia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia trade and goods agreement is being negotiated and is likely to be implemented soon for increased trade activities, a diplomat said. Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) already exists between the two countries and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is also being reviewed, Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Adam Mulawarman Tugio said this, while … Read more

SBP awards Rs100 million contract to Supernet for IT, cyber-security domain

SBP

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has awarded a contract worth Rs100 million for IT and cyber-security domain to Supernet Limited, a bourse filing said on Wednesday. The contract involves supply installation, maintenance and technical support of the next generation intrusion detection and protection systems to secure SBP infrastructure, it added. “Telecard is pleased … Read more

New Riyadh ‘innovation lab’ to focus on developing Saudi women’s ICT skills

Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: As more women join Saudi Arabia’s workforce, a multinational company is setting up an “innovation lab” to support digital skills development, Arab News reported. The new platform, created by India’s Tata Consultancy Services, will work with startups and universities to provide participants, particularly women, a chance to “explore and innovate with new technologies.” Women’s participation in … Read more

Govt to encourage, protect foreign investments in country: official

Board of Investment

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Investment organised an online Investment Promotion seminar to apprise the potential foreign investors on investment policies and potential in Pakistan, a statement said. The theme of the seminar was “Investment opportunities in education and innovation in technologies”. Board of Investment (BoI) secretary Fareena Mazhar said that the government is committed to … Read more

Wasif Memon appointed as SRB chairman

Wasif Memon

KARACHI: The Sindh government has appointed Dr Wasif Ali Memon as the chairman of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB), a statement said. Dr Wasif Ali was already working in the SRB as a senior member. Prior to this assignment, he had served as an officer of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) for 31 years in various … Read more

Punjab showcases startups at Dubai Expo

Punjab showcases Dubai Expo

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information Technology and Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun has appreciated the Punjab Information Technology Board for promoting entrepreneurship spirit among the youth. Speaking during a panel discussion on startup ecosystem at the Pakistan Pavilion, Dubai Expo, he said the event would help bring foreign investment in Pakistan. Commencing on October 2021, … Read more

Pakistan’s IT exports rise to $635 million: adviser

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exports increased to $635 million in the first quarter of the current fiscal year 2021/22, a senior official said. In a tweet, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled services exports in the first quarter of FY 2021/22 increased … Read more

Saudi markets surge as M&A activity set to continue until mid-2022

RIYADH: The Saudi market saw mergers and acquisitions jump 68 per cent to 237 applications in the first nine months of 2021, led by the IT, healthcare and petrochemical sectors, Arab News quoted a Saudi expert, as saying. Talal Alhogail, head of mergers and acquisitions at the General Authority for Competition, said that the year-on-year comparison shows … Read more