Pakistan is confronted with serious problems of unemployment & poverty while Information Technology (IT) is one of the areas that can offer enormous opportunities for creating countless jobs & improving economy, thus government should give attention to promote and capitalize the potential of IT sector.

Mahfooz Elahi, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry addressing a meeting at ICCI said that country is facing a number of challenges for its economic revival, therefore, with other initiatives, IT industry should be flourished for technological advancement, generating revenues, reducing unemployment and poverty.

He said that it was a healthy sign that IT sector of Pakistan has shown marked improvement and it’s ranking has gone up to 56th from 73rd last year. However, much more is desired to harness the full potential of this sector.

Elahi was of the opinion that by tapping full potential of IT Pakistan can also grab a substantial share in the international IT market and enhance its exports as well. He said USA, Canada, Middle East, Malaysia, UK and other countries have outsourced many functions of their businesses to specialized firms as cost cutting measures and by providing cost-effective services, Pakistan can realize the potential of outsourcing as well.

He said that modern world economies of scale also greatly depend on IT as its usage can enhance the performance of almost every sector of economy by improving business processes, cutting costs and increasing productivity and emphasized that Pakistan should also think on these lines.

President ICCI said that inadequate legal framework has been the main hindrance in proper growth of this sector, beside issues of IT infrastructure and finance and called upon the government to address these issues on priority to reap full benefits from a growing IT sector.

Elahi said over the last two decades IT sector has employed over half a million youngsters in different capacities ranging from software developers, hardware engineers, Call Centre operators and cable handlers etc. He added that it has still great potential to assimilate another half a million youngsters immediately with serious efforts of the government policymakers. 

He stressed upon the government to take measures for enhancing educational enrollment and particularly IT training capacity of the country people to promote IT culture and improve the competitiveness of Pakistani products & exports. Also a network of IT villages and parks must be created to bring a revolution in the IT field.