Islamabad 8 August: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has lauded the Ministry of Information Technology for exceeding its FY2025 export target of $3.8 billion and directed the preparation of a comprehensive plan to push exports beyond $30 billion in the coming years.
Chairing a review meeting on the National Information Technology Board (NITB) and ministry initiatives, Sharif stressed accelerating economic growth through digitisation, restructuring NITB, and recruiting top talent. He praised youth-focused projects, particularly those benefiting women, noting thousands have found jobs via the Digital Youth Hub.
The ministry reported a 19% rise in IT exports, a 91% increase in freelancers, and the launch of 40 e-employment centres in 26 cities. Under the National Incubation Center, 386 startups were supported, with 14 reaching global markets. Training programmes benefited 315,000 students — including 115,000 women — while 130 women-led startups were launched.
READ MORE: IT Exports Jump 34% in July 2024
Other highlights included Rs6.2 billion in tax collection through the Pak-App, near-completion of e-Office adoption across federal offices, and telecom sector growth surpassing targets, with over 200 million connections and a 24% rise in internet usage.
NITB’s restructuring — covering 179 websites, 31 mobile apps, 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects — is in its final phase to improve governance, cybersecurity, and service delivery.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi, and senior officials.
