A delegation of Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) Islamabad Chapter led by its President Arshad Janjua visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry and called upon the government to abolish GST on parts and accessories of computers as it was a major hurdle in the growth of computer and IT industry in the country.

Arshad Janjua said that government had exempted computers and laptops from GST, but persisted with GST on their parts and accessories that was hindering the growth of local manufacturing of computers and laptops.

He said abolishing GST on components would facilitate the growth of computer industry leading to creation of more jobs and more revenue for the country. He said government was not paying due attention to computer industry and this approach was holding back this important industry from realizing its full growth potential.

He said computer and IT industry has the potential to drive the economic growth of Pakistan and promote exports, but high taxes and unfavorable tender rules of PPRA were creating hindrances for its development. Highlighting other issues, he said that the lack of parking in Blue Area, absence of new rent control act and forced evictions of traders from shops were affecting the growth of business activities and stressed that ICCI should cooperate in resolving these issues.

Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Amir Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that computer industry has immense potential to create jobs and promote exports and urged that government should pay priority attention to resolving its major problems. He said India was achieving over US$100 billion exports of IT and IT enabled products, but Pakistan was achieving negligible exports from this sector. He said the main reason of this difference was that India was giving high focus to computer and IT industry while Pakistani policymakers were ignoring this important industry.

He emphasized that CDA should build multi-story parking plazas in Blue Area and other major commercial centers in Islamabad to address the parking issue. He said ICCI was striving hard for the early enactment of new rent law from the parliament for Islamabad so that traders could focus on business activities with a better sense of security.

Muhammad Naveed Senior Vice President and Nisar Mirza Vice President ICCI said that IT industry was the backbone of the economy and Chamber would take up their issues at all relevant forums for redress. Zafar Bakhtawari, Saleem Farooq, Furqan Murtaza, Khalid Chaudhry and others also spoke at the occasion and called upon the government to resolve key issues IT industry for its better growth.