'Pakistan on way to success through digital economy, education'

President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan has immense potential in the field of digital economy and digital education and stressed the importance of fast data communication modes to explore vast opportunities in such areas.

"Pakistan has high prospects in making strides in digital economy, digital education and digital finance and is heading in right direction to cope with the challenges during current pandemic," he said in his address at the contract signing of High-speed Mobile Broadband Internet organised at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Wednesday.

President Alvi said that the future highway to success was all about information gathering based upon internet and making it accessible for people.

He mentioned that the new life pattern during the coronavirus pandemic demanded digitalised systems in areas particularly trade, commerce, education and health.

He lauded the Ministry of Education for adopting new modes of teaching through television to address the challenges faced by students residing in towns with either low-speed internet or with no access.

“Pakistan is proud to launch its first public-sector Virtual University in 2004, offering education at relatively low rates compared to physically attending institutions that has several other overheads.”

He said e-commerce and e-trade could prove a stimulus towards expansion of economy due to fast financial transactions. President Dr Alvi also said that the State Bank of Pakistan is working to launch digital payment system across the country in October, expressing confidence that the step would boost business across the board, including of small companies.

Also, he said, software being top of the value-addition chain could prove as effective marketing tool for products and mentioned the country.

The president said access to information through digitalisation would also provide a platform for women to help them thrive, thus ensuring their empowerment.

“Pakistan through reforms is resisting the elite capture, however, India on the contrary, is reported with high inequality during 2014 to 2018, as mentioned by the French economist with full supporting data.”

He stressed proper right-of-way policies for the broadband and mobile companies to effectively sort out matters related to installation of signal towers.

President Alvi said internet could be best used for improving skilled economy and mentioned that as Pakistan required one million nurses in health sector, online training courses could be a great option instead of brick and mortar education.