IT Minister calls to expedite feasibility studies of IT Parks in Karachi, Lahore

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rahman on Wednesday convened a meeting to assess the state of the IT industry and to evaluate the steps being taken by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to bolster the growth and exports of the industry.

The meeting reviewed the progress on Prime Minister’s Internship program, establishment of IT parks and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certification programs used in software development.

The board was told that first batch of 1500 interns have been selected and being placed in IT companies and IT departments of non-IT organizations this quarter, and will be followed by another 1500 interns in third quarter of this year.

The federal minister directed PSEB to plan events in all capitals for orientation on this project so that maximum number of IT graduates could submit their applications and benefit from these opportunities provided by the government.

Managing Director PSEB Asim Shahryar Husain apprised that MOU has been signed with Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) to acquire land for a new IT park in Lahore.

He said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has consented to sponsor the feasibility study of IT Park in Karachi. The minister directed PSEB to expedite feasibility studies for new IT parks in Karachi and Lahore as soon as possible.

The board was also informed that 21 IT companies are shortlisted for CMMI and ISO certifications and their training process has been started which will be completed by February of this year.

Ms. Rehman lauded the initiative and said that CMMI certification of potential IT companies will not only help them in their capacity building but also enhance credibility among foreign clients.

Moreover, she added that it will be cost effective to use these local auditors for CMMI certification instead of using foreign auditors which are very expensive.