PM Shehbaz vows to make Pakistan IT sector hub

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced the development of a sustainable, advanced Information and Computer System to make Pakistan a regional IT sector hub.

The prime minister passed these remarks during a review meeting in Islamabad on Monday focused on building Pakistan’s IT Training Ecosystem.

PM Shehbaz emphasised training youth through modern IT programs to drive local transformation. He said that the youth should receive IT training and skills that guarantee employment opportunities.

The prime minister said that provision of competent IT manpower to local companies will be ensured, which will enable them to meet international requirements and bring foreign exchange in the country.

PM Shehbaz said that clear terms of reference should be prepared for consultancy for the training system.

He directed to set a timeframe for the development and launch of the system, and its early completion should be ensured.

The prime minister directed that training programs should be positive and constructive that make the youth useful in the international context.  He said talented young workforce is the most valuable asset of Pakistan.

He directed the Ministry of Federal Education, Higher Education Commission and Neotech should work together with the Ministry of IT to impart Information Technology training in schools, colleges and universities level.

He said IT training should be ensured in summer camps during the current summer vacations.

The meeting was informed that work is underway rapidly to establish and launch of a system for modern training in the IT sector in Pakistan, for which the terms of reference for obtaining the services of consultancy firms are in the final stage.

The meeting was further informed that twenty thousand students have been provided with modern training in the IT sector so far with the support of Huawei.

Recently, Pakistani students, trained last year, have made Pakistan proud by winning the first three positions not only in China, but also globally in three IT sectors. Two hundred thousand students from across the world participated in these competitions.

The Prime Minister felicitated the students who won the competition and made Pakistan proud.