26-Oct-2023

ISLAMABAD IT MINISTER PRESS CONFERENCE

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Dr Umar Saif on

Wednesday highlighted the revolutionary initiatives undertaken by the ministry in the
last two months to bolster exports of the IT and telecom sectors.

Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Murtaza Solangi.

TO DO:

 The government would provide interest-free loans to freelancers for establishing

e-working centres.
 Dr Umar Saif, has hinted at some exciting developments regarding PayPal and
Stripe payment gateways coming to Pakistan.
 Despite these challenges, Dr Saif remains optimistic about the prospect of
PayPal and Stripe entering the Pakistani market within the next four to six weeks.
 Dr Saif acknowledged that a lack of adequate infrastructure has hindered the
growth of Pakistan's IT sector. To address this, the government is launching the
E-Rozgar program, providing interest-free loans to the private sector.
 Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity, Dr. Saif disclosed plans to
establish a cybersecurity authority in the next few months. This move aims to
enhance protection against online data theft and safeguard digital assets in
Pakistan.
 We introduce a standardised quality test in all the universities across Pakistan to
ensure job opportunities for fresh graduates.
 “We have made significant decisions to revamp IT education in universities in
collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, the National Computing
Accreditation Council, the Examination Testing Council, the Pakistan Software
Export Board, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association.” Dr Umar Saif said
 while emphasising that students who passed the test would be offered job
opportunities through the Industry Placement Programme.
 The minister said the federal cabinet had approved the Telecom Infrastructure
Sharing Framework and the formation of a committee for 5G spectrum auction.
 Pakistan’s status as the seventh-largest mobile phone market with 194 million
users, Dr Saif outlined the government’s vision to promote local manufacturing of
affordable, high-quality mobile phones. The initiative aimed to reduce reliance on
imported phones, conserve foreign exchange, and create employment
opportunities in the high-tech industry.
 He said the committee’s primary task would be to review the availability of
spectrum in various frequency bands, including 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz,
and 2600 MHz. Subsequently, the committee would take steps to auction the
spectrum, based on the recommendations PTA (Pakistan Telecom Authority)
consultants.
 Creation of CO-Working spaces for 5 Lac freelancers Govt will provide loan to
convert already established under-utilized building to to convert them into Co-
Working spaces & training will also provide to these freelancers in Co-Working
Spaces.
 Launching a Pakistan Startup Fund in Collaboration with Top venture capital
firms Globally.
 300 MHZ spectrum is available for auction along with 5G services.

 GENERAL INFO
 He said each freelancer would receive financial assistance of Rs100,000 to set
up their own e-working centre.
 19,000 Software companies exporting software to foreign companies estimated
up to 2.6 Billion Dollar (Official Fig) -4.5 Billion $ (Unofficial Fig).
 IT companies can retain 50% of their revenue in their dollar.
 Cooperate Debit Card for Dollar account to perform international Transactions.
 75,000 IT graduates pass out each year but only 20-25k of them secure job.
 This Test is Conduct in NCEAC Sub Body of HEC.
 Training of 16,000 Students with collaboration of NAVTEC for the IT courses
which are in Demand Internationally Such as Amazon, Cisco, MS.
 One Developer after Training can earn 60k dollar annually.
 15 Lac Freelancer in Pakistan working from home.
 Including Maintenance of Ledger, Logo Designing, Social Media Marketing,
Medical Transcription, Website Development, Mobile app development.
 273 MHZ Spectrum is already auctioned & Shared by All Companies.
 International Consultants will be Hired to Documents the TORs (Terms of
Reference) for Spectrum Auction.