The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MOITT) is a cabinet-level ministry of the Government of Pakistan concerned with Information Technology and telecommunication. Information technology in Pakistan is a growing industry that has the potential to expand in the future. Pakistan has more than 300,000 English-speaking IT professionals with expertise in current and emerging IT products and technology. Pakistan has 13 software technology parks and more than 20,000 IT professionals and graduates. According to our vision 2025, and the digital policy of Pakistan 2018, the industry size is targeted to reach $20 billion by 2025.
IT ministry is working to set software technology parks in different cities of Punjab. Ministry told that the parks in Gilgit and Hyderabad are already generating “millions of dollars” in few months of their establishment. 25 software technology parks will be established in smaller areas. Two months ago, two memoranda were signed for setting up software technology parks in Faisalabad and Rawalpindi to enhance growth in IT industry in Pakistan. Two months back IT Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said,
“The IT industry is receiving top priority from the government to improve Pakistan’s economy, create jobs and lift the overall quality of life.” Government support is with the industry.
There are several projects aimed at facilitating and assisting the IT industry in its growth and ensuring a continued upward momentum in domestic and export earnings,” he emphasized.
The IT industry will establish software technology parks to enhance the growth of the information technology industry in Pakistan.
“We want to establish software technology parks in small and big cities of the country, for which Pakistan Software Export Board, an attached department of the ministry, is working to establish software technology parks in Quetta, Gwadar, Faisalabad, Bannu, Swat, Mardan, Sukkur, and Hyderabad,”
The project of IT Park in Islamabad was linked with Digital Pakistan’s vision. A senior IT official said the Islamabad IT project was expected to provide over 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities during the construction phase and about 15,000 employment opportunities to IT experts, students, and persons concerning industry after its completion. It provided space for 120 startups and small to medium enterprises.
