Information Technology (IT) and telecommunication have witnessed a boom in Pakistan in 2005. IT is the current choice of many developing and developed countries to upgrade their online systems to compete in the global market as E-commerce has found a strong foothold in the world and enhanced the productivity.

Revolutionary advances in IT reinforce economic and social changes faced by the business community. From this revolution emerges a new kind of economy in which IT information is a critical resource and the base for competition. Old ways of doing business will be challenged and sometimes defeated. Government intervention to harness the growth of IT for national development is necessary on several fronts as a policy maker and major user. Also, governments must supervise and coordinate IT education - the key to human and economic development.

In year 2005, Cyber crime wing of the government of Pakistan was established and it approved a broad-band policy. Final draft of Electronic Crime Act 2004 is ready for approval. Of a total of 500 IT companies working in the country, 100 are ISO certified and 45 universities offering IT/CS programmes in Pakistan produced 6,500 IT graduates in year 2005. Total 207 ISP’s are working, catering to the needs of 10 million internet users and its shows a good future of IT in Pakistan. The internet was spread from 530 cities in 2001-02 to over 2000 cities in 2005 as well as Internet users are rapidly increasing. According to estimates, the total number of Internet users in Pakistan has been grown about 3 million.

In year 2005, most of the funds allocated for the E-governance, targeted

HRD and software development programmes. During financial year 2004-05,

Information technology and Telecom Division has been provided with a Development Budget of Rs. 1.516 billion. During the year under review, IT and Telecom Division has approved 31 new IT projects worth Rs. 2.26 billion under various categories including Governance, HRD and Software Industry Development. Interior Division was also allocated Rs.156.00 million for IT Projects.

IT Policy lays maximum emphasis on Human Resource Development (HRD) in the country in general and in the government institutions in particular. In the year 2004-05, IT and Telecom Division started six new projects at a total cost of Rs. 239.629 million to improve HRD sector. The major projects include establishment of Data Processing Center at Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BBISE), IT Human Resource Support to Ministries/Departments, Revamping of existing technologies and Provision of Computer technology in Polytechnics of Balochistan and AJK, Introduction of Computer Education in 81 F.G/Model Colleges and Schools in ICT, Islamabad.

At present, over 900 IT companies have been established generating approximately $ 32.88 million revenue. Pakistan Software Export Board is responsible for the development and promotion of Pakistan’s software industry. At present, 78 international and 29 domestic call centres, having 2,500 seats, have been established. Moreover six IT parks have already been established in the country in public and private sector.

Electronic Government Directorate (EGD), established in October 2002, to promote IT culture in the country, has initiated a number of projects. These projects aim at the automation of the functions of the Federal Government and provision of services to citizens. During this year, the EGD has approved 11 new projects of Rs 1.1 billion. Establishment of Federal Government Data Center is the most significant initiative of the Directorate. This Data Center will interconnect all the Ministries of the Federal Government and will also work as ‘Central Repository’ for all< Other important projects include computerisation of the Ministry of Food,

Agriculture and Livestock, Capital Development Authority, Islamabad Capital Territory Administration and Islamabad Capital Police. Projects for the Online Processing of Hajj Applications and submission of online return by companies to Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan have also been started during this year.

The major on-going projects include E-Enabling of National Assembly, E-Enabling of Senate, Automation of Ministry of IT, Recruitment System for FPSC, Lexicon, Machine Translation and Text Speech Software for Urdu, Access to Statutory and Case Laws at District Bar Associations, Tech Support to Provincial IT Departments.

The other important projects of the E-government programme, being executed by the other agencies, are computerisation/automation of Export Promotion Bureau,

Monopoly Control Authority, Pakistan Medical Research Council, Project Management System for Development Funds at NWFP, Finance and Planning Dept of NWFP, Sindh Government Departments and Automation City District Government, Karachi. During this year, four different projects pertaining to E-government initiatives are going to be completed at a total cost of Rs.67.00 million. These projects include Computerization of Arm Licenses, Computerization of Registration deeds, Sialkot Model IT City and Computerization of PM Secretariat (Phase-I).

The most important development is the creation of National E-government

Council in October 2004. The prime minister is the chairman of the council to provide leadership to the E-government initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology.

In the year 2004-05, the government funded five on-going IT industry projects worth Rs. 155.54 million to improve E-services for citizens. The major projects include Industrial Automation (Open Source Systems), Geographical Information System (GIS) to facilitate Mineral Exploration in NWFP, Industrial Information Network (IIN) for SME’s Development in Pakistan, Domestic Exhibitions 6.180.

The other major on-going projects are Development of Open Source Resource Center, Establishment of STPs in Private Sector. To compete with the growing economies of the world, Pakistan needs to educate, train and bring its workforce to the international educational standards, incorporate new technologies and modern management practices into its industry, and bring intense focus on building an information-based economy by upgrading the technical and managerial skills of its people.

 

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