Islamabad, Feb 4: The National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom was briefed on Tuesday regarding the country’s pilot Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, which is expected to be finalized by the end of this month. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haq voiced concerns over the unnecessary delays in approving the Data Protection Bill.
Ministry officials reassured the committee that discussions with key stakeholders are ongoing, and efforts are being made to finalize the bill soon.
Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2024-25
The committee also reviewed the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) budget for the IT sector. It was disclosed that Rs. 24 billion has been allocated for both ongoing and new IT development projects.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the Special Communications Organization’s (SCO) Rs. 780 million mobile service expansion project aimed at enhancing network coverage in 28 additional areas.
Officials further revealed that Rs. 23 billion had been designated for IT development initiatives in the current fiscal year, with Rs. 2 billion already utilized. Looking ahead, the IT Ministry plans to request over Rs. 43 billion for the next fiscal year to support 18 major projects.
These include six under SCO, seven managed by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and several hybrid power solutions. A specific Rs. 870 million hybrid power project for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will require an additional Rs. 500 million in the fiscal year 2026.
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Pakistan’s Semiconductor Industry Potential
The meeting also highlighted Pakistan’s emerging potential in the semiconductor industry. Officials underscored the sector’s revenue prospects and confirmed ongoing government-to-government agreements aimed at fostering growth in this domain.
IT Parks Development and Budget Concerns
Another key issue discussed was the underutilization of the Rs. 6 billion allocated for the Karachi IT Park project, which remains in the planning phase. The IT Ministry proposed reallocating these funds to Islamabad IT Park for immediate utilization.
The committee also reviewed progress on Quetta IT Park. Officials acknowledged that the project is still in the proposal stage, with the federal government suggesting land allocation. However, despite three years of discussions, no substantial progress has been made. The IT Ministry now aims to secure budgetary approval for Quetta IT Park in the upcoming fiscal year.
These discussions emphasize the government’s commitment to advancing IT infrastructure, AI development, and the semiconductor industry while addressing financial and administrative challenges to ensure progress.