Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated the Nawaz Sharif IT City, spanning 853 acres, in Lahore. To promote the IT industry, employ the youth in the IT sector, and increase IT exports from Pakistan, the Nawaz Sharif IT City has been declared a tax-free zone for businesses.
Additionally, the government has announced a one-time customs duty exemption for the import of machinery for businesses in IT. The Punjab government has also announced financial, technical, and legal assistance for IT startups. The chief minister said a Global IT Certificate Programme has commenced in Punjab, under which at least 4,000 youths will participate in IT courses under the CM Skills Development Programme.
The changing global economic conditions and the role of the IT industry in economic development have significantly increased compared to other industries. Pakistan, currently facing an economic crisis, has a large portion of its population comprising youth, many of whom are still pursuing education. Pakistan can take advantage of this youth bulge by providing education and training to its youngsters in line with the market demands and grab a greater share for Pakistan in the global IT industry
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz recognise the potential of our youth to earn in dollars and contribute to Pakistan’s economy by adding to the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The current government is committed to significantly increasing the exports of services and products associated with the IT sector in the next 2-3 fiscal years.
Due to the deep interest of the PML-N leadership in the IT sector, Pakistan’s IT exports have increased by 62.3 per cent in April this year compared to the previous year. During the financial year 2023-24, from July 2023 to April 2024, IT exports reached $2.593 billion, compared to $2.135 billion in the same period last year.
The PML-N has intensified its focus on IT education and facilitating the youth by earning through online work in the past decade. The laptop schemes initiated by PML-N’s federal and provincial governments were part of this strategic focus. Back in 2017, the party’s government initiated the E-Rozgaar programme, which aimed to train 60,000 individuals through the establishment of 45 training centres for freelance earnings. The verified income of these students has now reached Rs8 billion. The programme offers various training courses, including an online technical (web development) course, mobile app development course, online content marketing and advertising, creative design course, social media marketing course, UI/UX design course, and e-commerce course.
Additionally, the government set up the Punjab Tianjin Technology University, the country’s first-ever technology university, to train students for specialised jobs in the IT industry. Various initiatives were undertaken to develop the IT skills of youth, such as digitising textbooks, providing tablets in schools, establishing e-libraries, launching national and provincial IT policies, extending the IT export tax holiday, providing cash rewards on IT exports, and reducing sales tax on IT-enabled services.
Furthermore, efforts were made to enhance the IT infrastructure, facilitate e-governance, improve healthcare and education services through information and communications technology tools, and promote IT-based entrepreneurship and research. The government established startup incubators in major cities, excellence centres for various IT domains, and established world-class IT universities in Lahore and Rahim Yar Khan.
To bridge the digital divide, initiatives like the China-Pakistan Fibre Optic Project were launched to bolster internet connectivity, and 3G and 4G platforms were introduced to enhance telephony and internet services penetration. CM’s e-Rozgaar centres were established across Punjab to enable recent graduates to freelance, and Wi-Fi hotspots were installed in major cities. Additionally, the government took the lead in withdrawing the broadband tax in Punjab.
The PML-N has once again taken the lead and expanded the IT programmes started during their previous government. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, initiatives include IT startups and online training courses, as well as laptop and tablet schemes. Efforts are being made to attract investment in the IT sector from countries like Saudi Arabia and encourage public-private partnerships. Moreover, steps are being taken to encourage multinational IT companies to establish their offices in Pakistan and to revamp technical and vocational training courses on modern lines.
Due to the deep interest of the PML-N leadership in the IT sector, Pakistan’s IT exports have increased by 62.3 per cent in April this year compared to the previous year. During the financial year 2023-24, from July 2023 to April 2024, IT exports reached $2.593 billion, compared to $2.135 billion in the same period last year.
The Nawaz Sharif IT City marks a significant step towards harnessing the potential of Pakistan’s burgeoning youth population and aligning their skills with global market demands. By declaring the IT City a tax-free zone and offering various incentives, the Punjab government is creating a conducive environment for IT businesses to flourish. These efforts, coupled with strategic partnerships and investment facilitation, are poised to transform Pakistan into a major player in the global IT industry. As Pakistan continues to leverage its youthful demographic and technological advancements, the country is on a promising trajectory towards economic resilience and global competitiveness in the IT sector.
