The policy envisaged to become a strategic enabler, by making the full use of ICT, for an accelerated digitisation ecosystem, aiming to expand knowledge-based economy and to drive socio-economic growth. A key goal of the policy is to create a digital ecosystem with infrastructure and institutional frameworks for the rapid delivery of next generation digital services, applications and content. It is aimed at moving away from piecemeal approach to a holistic technology strategy more focused on IT as a broad enabler of every sector of socio-economic development.
Currently no official data is available about the number of schools having access to broadband internet. Majority of the public schools are concentrated in rural areas, where universal connectivity can lower the barrier to education by utilising e-education platforms to improve quality and access, and help implement the "quality education" goal of the United Nations SDGs. The policy would encourage the use of ICT in public schools and ensure they are online and have a meaningful impact on the current education ecosystem within three years in a phased manner.
The policy also aims at generating sustainable innovation, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for the nation''s rapidly growing technology savvy and entrepreneurial youth population to collaborate with international partners like Newton Fund to boost innovation partnerships.
According to the SBP statistics, the IT industry earned $560 million during FY 2015-16 in software exports and IT enabled services outsourcing. However, according to some industry analysts, the real figure of exports is in excess of $2.0 billion. The success of the IT industry and freelance sector, the ability of Pakistani IT workers to win international awards and the availability of a large highly qualified English-speaking workforce points to a huge potential for boosting software exports, increased outsourcing opportunities and a bigger domestic market.
The policy would help in promoting e-governance to make Pakistan the frontrunner in good governance through IT enablement at all levels to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability by setting up integrated government databases and applications.
The MoITT said that it will develop an action plan along with relevant ministries and departments detailing the timeframe and outputs of the IT Policy. The ministry said that it plays the role of an enabler and facilitator to provide necessary guidance where required, while other federal ministries, divisions and departments will take the lead role for the implementation of policy strategy falling within their domain.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017