ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the pivotal role of the country’s information technology (IT) sector in driving the nation’s economic recovery, pointing out that the industry has demonstrated resilience and continued growth despite significant macroeconomic challenges.
In a meeting with the private sector working group on IT-led economic development, the prime minister praised a set of recommendations presented by the committee led by Asif Peer, calling them “timely and in line with the government’s reform agenda.” He expressed optimism about the steady rise in IT exports, describing it as a positive indicator of the sector’s potential to contribute to the country’s economic revival.
Sharif emphasised that the government was committed to strengthening the technical training of the IT workforce, introducing tax facilitation measures, and removing structural bottlenecks to ensure sustained growth.
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“We are focusing on equipping Pakistani youth with globally competitive skills so they can enter the international IT market as an experienced and reliable workforce,” he added. Highlighting the importance of job creation, the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to take additional steps to expand employment opportunities for young people, particularly through digital platforms and emerging technologies.
He also stressed the need for nationwide improvements in IT infrastructure, noting that access to reliable and affordable internet services was crucial to the promotion of a digital economy.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif instructed a high-level committee, chaired by the Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, to review the presented recommendations and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks. The proposals under discussion included measures to expand the digital economy, boost IT exports, and implement sector-wide reforms, such as the development of a data-driven governance model.
Participants from the private sector welcomed the government’s ongoing initiatives, such as efforts to increase export market share, the full digitisation of the Pakistan Software Export Board, the e-Rozgar programme, and the strengthening of the startup and innovation ecosystem.
The meeting was attended by key federal ministers, including Ahsan Iqbal, Jam Kamal Khan, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Musadik Malik, Ahad Cheema, Atta Tarar, and Shaza Fatima Khawaja.
Also present were Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Rashid Langrial, and senior officials from relevant government departments.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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