Islamabad, Jan 14: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to ensure the issuance of visas to foreign investors within 24 hours, aiming to foster partnerships between international businesses and Pakistani IT firms.
This initiative, proposed by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), seeks to attract global investments, enhancing the IT sector’s role in driving economic growth.
During a high-level meeting on the IT Ministry’s progress, the prime minister underscored the need for streamlined visa procedures and a business-friendly environment to encourage foreign investment.
He expressed confidence in the sector’s potential to achieve $25 billion in exports within five years and highlighted the importance of simplifying Right of Way regulations to expedite the development of fiber optic networks and nationwide broadband services.
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Shehbaz Sharif stressed equipping the youth with globally competitive IT skills, enabling them to secure lucrative overseas opportunities. Authorities presented ambitious plans to double the country’s freelancers from 1.4 million to 2 million within two years. Additionally, the DigiSkills program is set to train over 300,000 individuals by mid-2025, with a further 900,000 to be trained in the following two years.
The premier also called for a robust global marketing strategy to showcase Pakistan’s IT potential on the world stage. Officials provided updates on efforts to expand broadband accessibility and enhance internet speeds to support the growing digital economy.
A significant development discussed was the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, which is expected to receive approval next month following extensive stakeholder consultations. This policy aims to integrate AI into various sectors, driving innovation and efficiency.
With these initiatives, the government envisions positioning Pakistan as a hub for IT excellence, fostering sustainable growth and global recognition for its digital economy.
