The IT industry has raised concerns about the establishment of an advisory committee by the Ministry of IT and Telecom. Industry representatives point out that the committee was formed without consulting the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the leading representative body of the IT sector.
P@SHA has expressed its reservations, noting that while the committee includes reputable individuals, it lacks representation from key stakeholders within the industry.
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They argue that the committee mainly consists of CEOs from large corporations who may not fully understand the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are significant drivers of innovation and economic growth in many countries.
Zohaib Khan, Chairman of P@SHA, emphasized the critical need for collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders during his discussion with ProPakistani. He expressed disappointment with the Ministry’s oversight in involving P@SHA in the committee formation process.
Khan highlighted the ongoing efforts between P@SHA and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to address industry challenges and boost IT exports. He noted that P@SHA has been engaging with IT ministers for several years, with the results of these efforts starting to show and expected to become even more apparent in the near future.
The Ministry of IT and Telecom recently established a 10-member advisory committee, chaired by Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawja, to address critical issues within the IT and Telecom sector. The committee’s Terms of Reference (ToRs) cover various responsibilities, including identifying growth opportunities, assessing challenges, and proposing strategies to enhance exports and attract investments over the next five years.
Additionally, the committee is tasked with identifying capacity gaps in both the public and private sectors and recommending measures to address them. It is also authorized to address any other relevant issues requiring attention, demonstrating a commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing industry concerns.
