Latest news with #InformationTechnologyandTelecommunication
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Ministry aims to boost IT exports to $15bn by 2029: Shaza
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said her ministry was determined to achieve the target of elevating the country's IT exports to $15 billion by 2029. She underlined that a future-ready human resource is the key component for achievement of this target. Khawaja reiterated the government's commitment to facilitating the academia, industry and all relevant stakeholders in removing the hurdles blocking the employability of computing graduates. The minister was addressing a national conference titled, 'Zero-Day Employability of Computing Graduates' organised by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan in collaboration with MoIT&T and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) on Thursday. Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Secretary MoIT&T Zarraz Hasham Khan, vice chancellors of a large number of universities, faculty members, and IT industry representatives attended the conference. Khawaja emphasised the need for economic impact in the country through digital transformation by unlocking the country's IT potential. She highlighted that Pakistan is blessed with talented youth and there is a need to hone this asset. She noted it is the high time for introspection, identification of challenges, and exploitation of strengths to set a right direction. She said the government is cognisant of the challenges; however, it is pivotal to be on the path of addressing the challenges. She asserted that, 'conferences are literally determining the future of Pakistan.' She urged the universities to prepare the youth for the future technological advancements and produce graduates who make the IT sector viable. She underlined the significance of rewarding and penalizing the universities for the performance in order to materialise the vision of IT sector's growth. There is, she noted, a tsunami of change wherein everything has been automated. She made a collective call to action to come out of the existing structures and propose innovative interventions. Chairman HEC Dr Ahmed highlighted HEC's measures to bridge the gap of liabilities in the IT sector. He said that academia-industry linkages are a vital means to cope up with the industry's hampered growth, as it is high time to upgrade the systems. He informed the audience that HEC has developed a new Computing Education curriculum and has shared it with the universities for adoption. He said that the curriculum is based 80 percent on hands-on skills. He hoped that it will open up a window for employability of graduates. The chairman highlighted that Pakistani youth have been achieving huge success in the Huawei Imagine Cup competitions. He said the country's youth has a great potential in all the areas including technology. He added that the Pakistani university graduates and the HEC scholarship recipients are playing their appreciable role in taking up Pakistan in the technological sphere. Secretary MoIT&T Zarrar Hashim Khan shared a detailed presentation on the National IT Roadmap drafted in consultation and deliberations with stakeholders. He pointed out the key challenges in the IT industry triggering low exports such as systemic and structural issues, educational and skill development issues, and workplace and industry dynamics. 'If we do not address them structurally, we will lag behind,' he emphasised. He also presented recommendations to put in action for sectoral growth, including having a standardized testing mechanism, skill-based certification courses integrated with curricula, and work with industry by final year students. He stressed the need for academic and workforce readiness and strong collaboration between the IT industry and academics to address employability gap. He underlined that the industry's productivity and a remarkable increase in consistent exports are among the top objectives to be followed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, Egypt set to enhance ties in digital domain
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Egypt are set to enhance bilateral cooperation in the digital domain, with a focus on cybersecurity, 5G, fintech, and training programmes, as highlighted during a meeting between Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Egypt's Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan. During the meeting, both sides explored opportunities for joint workshops in cybersecurity and submarine cable systems. The ambassador expressed Egypt's keen interest in developing partnerships in emerging technologies and human resource development through scholarships and training programmes. Minister Khawaja underlined the alignment between Egypt's digitisation agenda and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision of a 'Digital Pakistan,' emphasising that the two countries share strong cultural and developmental similarities that can pave the way for strategic collaboration. Highlighting Pakistan's progress in cybersecurity, she said the country's hackathons have earned international recognition, and invited Egyptian youth to participate in these competitions. She also pointed out Pakistan's strategic geographic position and its advanced telecom infrastructure with seven submarine cables — a foundation for deeper engagement with Egypt in maritime connectivity. Both sides agreed to continue engagement for concrete initiatives in the digital sector that would benefit both nations and strengthen bilateral ties. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Key issues in E-Commerce sector discussed
ISLAMABAD: In a high-level meeting held to address key issues in Pakistan's rapidly expanding E-Commerce sector, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja discussed aspects covering E-commerce. According to an official statement, in line with the consultative approach of the forthcoming policy, Minister Kamal Khan announced the formation of a joint working group, with input from the IT Ministry, to gather comprehensive recommendations on taxation, vendor compliance, and digital payments. The group's findings will be formally presented to the Prime Minister for final consideration. Minister Kamal also confirmed that E-Commerce Policy 2.0 is in its final stages of internal review and will soon be submitted for cabinet approval. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IT minister confirms Starlink internet launch timeline in Pakistan
Listen to article Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima, said that SpaceX's Starlink internet services are expected to become operational in Pakistan by November or December this year. The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by MNA Aminul Haque. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on the licensing process for Starlink. PTA Chairman confirmed that Starlink has been granted a temporary licence by the Space Board, adding that a full operational licence would be issued once regulatory frameworks are finalised. 'There are no issues with the licensing process,' Minister Shaza Fatima stated, clarifying that satellite internet is a new technology and various aspects needed to be evaluated thoroughly. 'A consultant has been hired to finalise the regulations. Once done, Starlink will have to reapply,' she added. The minister also revealed that a Chinese company had submitted a similar application for providing satellite internet services in Pakistan. 'Shanghai Spacecom is also in the queue. We want to open the space internet sector to multiple players to ensure competition,' she said. The minister confirmed that infrastructure installation is underway and Starlink services are expected to launch in the last quarter of 2025.
