ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects relating to the information technology (IT) sector to help Pakistan meet $25 billion annual IT export target in the next few years, Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The directives came at a meeting presided over by the prime minister to review progress of ongoing IT projects and implementation of measures to increase IT-related exports, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Officials briefed PM Sharif that work on an IT park project in Islamabad was underway at a fast pace and the project completion time had been brought earlier to February from June next year.
“This project will significantly increase domestic IT exports,” PM Sharif was quoted as saying at the meeting. “It will prove to be a milestone in achieving the target of IT exports of 25 billion dollars.”
Pakistan, which has been facing low foreign exchange reserves, currency devaluation and high inflation, last month reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new $7 billion loan deal. The South Asian country is making desperate attempts to boost exports, particularly in the field of IT, and foreign investment to cut its reliance on foreign debts to support its $350 billion fragile economy.
In May, State Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima reportedly told a tech event that the government had set a target of increasing IT exports to $25 billion for which collaborative efforts were needed to build a digital future that was inclusive, sustainable and secure.
Pakistan has also established four new special technology zones that can house up to 50,000 professionals and have an annual export potential of $350 million, the country’s Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) said last week.
The newly designated zones include the Mindbridge Special Technology Zone in Lahore, Capital Smart Technology Zone in Rawalpindi, and NUST Special Technology Zone and Tech7 Special Technology Zone in Islamabad, according to the STZA.
These zones, consisting of 1.4 million square feet high-quality tech infrastructure at 130 acres of land, will foster innovation, drive economic growth, enhance technology exports and position Pakistan as a key player in the global technology arena.
Pakistan PM orders timely completion of IT projects to meet $25 billion export target
https://arab.news/wx5an
Pakistan PM orders timely completion of IT projects to meet $25 billion export target
- Pakistan government has planned to boost annual IT-related exports to $25 billion in the next few years
- The country recently established four new special technology zones that can house 50,000 professionals
\Pakistan shortlists 10 bidders to compete for two new PSL franchises
- Pakistan Cricket Board says will hold auction for two new PSL franchises on Jan. 8 in Islamabad
- PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket tournament featuring a mix of local and international players
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this week it has cleared 10 interested parties to bid for its two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises next month.
Pakistan will hold the 11th edition of the PSL next year from Mar. 26 to May 11, with two new franchises set to debut. The PCB held roadshows in New York and London this month to attract investors to buy the new franchises and invited interested parties to bid for the teams.
The PCB said earlier this week that 12 interested parties had bid for the two teams.
“Following a thorough and transparent evaluation process, the PCB Bid Committee has qualified 10 Bidders who have successfully met the technical criteria and now enter the second stage,” the board said in a statement on Saturday.
The PCB said these 10 bidders will now participate in the auction scheduled to be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Jinnah Convention Center in Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad.
It said there the franchise rights for the two new HBL PSL teams will be up for grabs.
“At the auction, the successful bidders will have the right to choose their franchise team names from among the following: Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad and Sialkot,” it said.
PSL CEO Salman Naseer congratulated the qualified bidders for clearing the process.
“The league looks forward to achieving another significant milestone in the expansion and evolution of the HBL PSL as we now prepare for the eagerly awaited auction,” he said.
The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league that features a mix of local and international players and coaches. It features six teams, each named after a Pakistani city.
With a little over 10 years since it was launched, the PSL has attracted praise from cricket experts and analysts worldwide and competed for viewership with prominent cricket leagues around the world such as the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, Indian Premier League and others.
