PTBP Web Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday formally launched a new Information Technology (IT) programme aimed at accelerating Pakistan’s transformation into a modern, tech-driven economy. The initiative, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), is designed to promote digital innovation, strengthen the IT industry, and empower the youth with advanced digital skills.
According to the PMO, this comprehensive programme will serve as a milestone in Pakistan’s digital development, providing young people with the training and resources necessary to compete in the global digital marketplace. The launch marks a significant step toward integrating modern technology into key sectors of the economy.
The newly launched programme seeks to create a favorable environment for Pakistan’s IT industry by addressing critical gaps in infrastructure, policy, and human capital. It aims to encourage freelancing, e-commerce, software development, and digital entrepreneurship — all of which have become central to modern economies.
The PMO highlighted that the programme’s objective is not only to boost employment opportunities but also to increase IT exports, which have become an important source of foreign exchange for the country.
As part of the initiative, the government will support start-ups and small businesses working in emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cloud computing. These efforts align with Pakistan’s broader vision of becoming a regional technology hub.
In an official release, the Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that a comprehensive policy framework has been developed under the prime minister’s directives to facilitate the growth of the IT sector. The policy focuses on capacity building, technological innovation, and international partnerships.
“The government is committed to strengthening the national economy through the promotion of information technology,” the PMO said, reaffirming the administration’s focus on the digital economy as a key pillar of Pakistan’s future growth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored that technology-driven progress is essential for economic resilience and job creation, particularly in a country where the youth make up the majority of the population. He noted that empowering the younger generation with digital skills would not only enhance productivity but also foster innovation across industries.
Pakistan’s IT sector has shown impressive growth in freelancing and e-commerce, and the new programme aims to build upon that success. By offering training, mentorship, and access to online platforms, the government hopes to turn Pakistan into one of the leading global freelancing markets.
Freelancers and digital entrepreneurs will be given access to tools, co-working spaces, and payment facilitation channels to make online work more sustainable and profitable. Moreover, the initiative seeks to enhance connectivity in remote areas, ensuring that digital opportunities reach young people nationwide.
The comprehensive policy framework will also focus on regulatory reforms and collaboration with the private sector. These reforms will simplify business procedures, improve taxation structures for IT exporters, and encourage foreign investment in Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
Through coordinated efforts between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the initiative aims to link academia with industry needs, ensuring that graduates possess market-ready digital skills.
