Exports of freelancing industry stand at $1 billion per annum, Senate body told

Pakistan freelancing industry is thriving as exports earnings under this head are around one billion dollars per annum, said Secretary Information Technology and Telecommunications Maroof Afzal. This he stated while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications which met here with Rubina Khalid in the chair on Thursday.
He said that information technology as well as telecommunications is the future as it is one of the largest self-employment sectors, which are helping to alleviate poverty. The issues taken up by the committee included the biannual review of the budgetary allocation and its utilisation, and lack of services of Pakistan Telecom Limited (Ufone) in various towns and areas of district Malakand.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications revealed that the government has slashed its development funds by 53 percent which would affect some vital projects. Maroof Afzal said that Rs 3.046 billion were allocated in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2018-19, but they were reduced to Rs 1.597 billion and further revised to Rs 1.448 billion. By end-December 2018, the government released Rs 369 million of which Rs 275 million have been spent so far.
The committee showed grave displeasure over the massive decrease in budget and stressed the need for these funds to be restored. Senator Rehman Malik was of the view that around the world, especially in India great emphasis is given on the IT projects and software development. This is the only thing that will take Pakistan forward, he asserted.
Senator Sana Jamali was of the view if Pakistan wishes to compete with India, it is imperative that attention be paid to this area. Some committee members proposed to send a letter to the government to record protest over cuts in development budget.
The committee also observed that Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are not getting due funds and this attitude needs to be changed. The committee also sought details of vacant positions in the ministry. The committee was informed that a foreign delegation is due on February 20 to finalise the Technology Development Park project. The project was approved by the ECNEC in 2016 with an estimated cost of Rs 140 million including Rs 40 million under the PSDP and Rs 100 million foreign component.
Discussing details of the Universal Service Fund (USF), Rehman Malik said that the mandate must be revised so that issues of least-developed areas may be resolved.
The chairman committee recommended if there are certain bylaws pertaining to the USF that are proving hurdles to the ministry, it may consult with the committee on delegated legislations so that these rules may be revisited to accommodate and benefit least-developed areas.