ISLAMABAD: By July-August this year, the country is set to roll out 5G services, alongside offering 300MHz spectrum up for auction.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (IT&T), Dr. Umar Saif, conveyed through video messages that the caretaker government has achieved 13 out of 15 goals aimed at fostering the IT sector and boosting its exports within a concise timeframe of five months.
Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the significance of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in supporting the future elected government’s efforts in nation-building.
He emphasized the positive impact of policies introduced during the caretaker period, including allowing IT companies to retain 50 percent of their export revenue in dollars within Pakistan, resulting in a 32 percent increase in IT exports within 60 days.
Moreover, the establishment of a telecom tribunal addresses a longstanding demand of the sector, aimed at expediting the resolution of disputes and facilitating progress in the telecom industry.
Additionally, measures are being taken to support mobile phone manufacturing companies through the establishment of a research and development fund, while the first standardized quality test for 75,000 IT graduates is slated to take place soon.
Dr. Saif emphasized the importance of aligning educational institutions with industry needs to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical requirements. Furthermore, freelancers will now receive payments through PayPal, fulfilling a longstanding demand.
Under the nation’s first space policy, international companies will be permitted to offer communication services through low-orbit communication satellites, paving the way for advancements in communication services and internet connectivity.
To enhance the optic fiber network before the launch of 5G services, the government has initiated a project to establish 10,000 e-Rozgar centers across the country, equipped with modern facilities to support freelancers and startups.
Dr. Saif expressed optimism that these initiatives would significantly boost IT exports and increase the capacity and income of freelancers under public-private partnerships facilitated by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB).
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
