Fawad Chaudhry invites 'Chinese companies' to open digital gateways in Pakistan

Oct 03, 2019: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Thursday has invited the Chinese IT companies to open their digital gateways in Pakistan for the promotion of digital culture among the youth of the country by introducing best international practices.

In his exclusive talk with private news channel, he said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan was focusing on bringing revolution, improvement and transform the IT market in Pakistan to compete with current and upcoming global economic trends.

Minister for Science said that PTI government was truly committed for the digitalization of Pakistan to steer towards development and prosperous country through information technology.

Pakistan's IT have a big presence in China and other countries, specially multi-nationals and IT Corridor which are expected to provide a gateway for the Pakistan IT-small and medium-sized enterprises, he added.

He said negotiations were on with some of the Chinese and other international firms to sign up with big Pakistan IT firms.

He also discussed the matter with Prime Minister Imran Khan and he also showed interest to discuss the matter with other countries and he would also invite the countries to open their IT projects in Pakistan for digitalization of systems .

He said IT ministry was continuously working on new projects for maximum economic impact through collaboration, digitization, research and innovation in new emerging technologies with different government departments.

Fawad said the government was also planning development of IT zones, software technology parks in major cities.

Pakistan has been undergoing a digital shift for some years now which has changed the way people shop, pay bills, order cabs, buy cinema tickets, book hotels, do grocery shopping and dine outside, he added.

Regarding State Banks's approval to NAYAPay for digital payment system, he said it was the commitment of our government and now new system of NayaPay will enable citizens to open e-money accounts and make ‘hassle-free’ digital payments in country.

He explained, the State Bank of Pakistan issued an in-principal approval to NayaPay Pvt Ltd to operate as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) in the country.

Minister said this E-money system will make financial services simpler, more convenient and accessible to the citizens of Pakistan according to their needs.

Fawad Chaudhry said as the government of Pakistan pushes forward with the ‘Digital Pakistan’ policy-led initiative, digital payments offer an immense, untapped opportunity to boost the country’s economic growth.

He said in Pakistan needs to introduce a complete digital system in government departments specially in legal system.

He said to digitize the judicial filing system, a software that can record and scan documents and upload the data to an online cloud database accessible online by the relevant people is required as the online database will provide easy access to clients, lawyers, police, government departments and judges.

He also emphasized on having such legislation through which telecom companies could flourish and provide quality services to the citizens.

Efforts are needed to enable digitalization to grow, educate our citizens to adapt it for their economic benefit and encourage the role of private sectors through facilitating them, he said, adding that people with limited thoughts should also adopt this system for country interests.

Pakistan also needs to enhance its cooperation on international level for the further progress in IT development in the country, he added.

Talking about opposition lockdown, he commented that every party was preferring their personal interests.

Speaking on JUI-F chief’s call to march, he said that Maulana Fazal-Ur-Rehman’s purpose was something personal interests. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, was not interested in launching campaign for Kahsmir and alleviating poverty.

The chief of JUI-F wanted to derail the system of the present government, he added.

He said, we know that Pakistan People's party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz were funding Maulana Fazlur Rehman to move against the government.

He said that today, Pakistan needed more unity than ever before, therefore, all segments of society must have to play their due role in this regard.

PTI is a democratic party and we have always supported peaceful protests, every political party and person has the right for peaceful protest and if anyone will try to create chaos and agitation in the name of protest, this will not be beneficial for the country.

APP