September 24, 2018:
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Government has enhanced efforts to boost the volume of Information Technology (IT) exports to USD 10 billion in the next five years, as per Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision for the benefits of people.
According to Kamran Khan Bangash, Special Assistant to Chief Minister KP, increasing the volume of IT exports is the new government’s top most priority and a comprehensive mechanism has been chalked out in order to achieve this target, with the assistance of all relevant stakeholders
“Pakistan has huge potential to expand IT exports from the existing USD One billion to USD 10 billion in next five years, and KP government is ready to tap this rich potential,” he said.
IT exports are crucial to strengthen an economy, ensure digitalization of public sectors, attract local and foreign investment, promote infant industries and for generation of jobs opportunities for youth.
Such positive initiatives help to create job opportunities for youth and boost the pace of economic development, besides bringing transparency in utilization of funds and ensuring good governance in the province.
“KP Govt. will digitalize the documents in departments of revenue, police, excise and taxation in first phase, in order to provide an efficient service to people,” he said.
Bangash said KP Govt. has assigned special targets to all departments for implementation of the 100-day plan announced by PTI leadership during election campaign 2018 and it would be achieved with cooperation from all stakeholders.
Kamran said that the government has chalked out an inclusive plan for the establishment of computer laboratories in over 1000 primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, next year.
“KP government would take the lead role by capitalizing on an excellent work made by the previous PTI Govt and would utilize all available resources for development of human resource, and economic development.”
IT parks in Peshawar and Abbottabad have been made operational to encourage the private sector to establish businesses on subsidized rates in IT related projects in a congenial atmosphere, he maintained.
Bangash said former PTI government set up first ever KP Information Technology Board (ITB) in 2011 with the aim of equipping youth with innovations in technology.
“The future of our youth is heavily reliant on technological digitization and these IT parks would help cater their modern day requirements in the wake of revolution in IT sector.”
Kamran said a comprehensive programme namely ‘Dhorshal’ (doorstep) has been launched under which special education and business programmes would be expended in the first phase to eight others districts of the province.
Under ‘Dhorshal, IT projects would be monitored and officials showing good performance would be encouraged. Durshal centers are aimed to link communities with growing opportunities in technological developments.
These centers are also aimed to advance entrepreneurship by encouraging women and other underprivileged groups.
Former PTI government has already established these centers in Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Peshawar.
Bangash said Durhsal provides a vital link between local governments, IT industries, entrepreneurs and investors to take full advantage of KP governments’ revolutionary programs for digital transformation.
PTI government will invest both in planning and execution of IT plans inevitable for good governance, elimination of corruption, supremacy of merit and attraction of foreign direct investment in the province, he said.
IT Parks in other districts would help economic empowerment of youth besides promoting infant industries imperative to end monopoly of major industrial and business units.
Bangash said Prime Minister Imran Khan was the last hope of people of Pakistan and all the promises made by him would be completed in letter and spirit.
(APP)
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