PM pledges support for youth, IT training

Commends initiatives of Arfa Karim Foundation

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that providing Pakistani youth with internationally competitive education and training in the information technology sector is among the government's top priorities.

The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting on Sunday with the parents of late IT prodigy Arfa Karim Randhawa, Samina Amjad and Amjad Karim Randhawa, along with the chief executive of the Arfa Karim Foundation, Tabinda Islam.

Paying rich tribute to Arfa Karim, the prime minister lauded her remarkable contributions to the IT sector at a young age and for bringing pride to Pakistan on the global stage. He said that in recognition of her lasting services, the IT Tower in Lahore has been named Arfa Karim Tower.

The prime minister stated that the government was working round-the-clock to transform Pakistan into a regional hub for the IT sector. He added that special emphasis was being placed on IT education and training for youth, along with the promotion of entrepreneurship in the technology sector.

He said that the federal government was continuing its laptop distribution programme this year as well, to encourage high-performing male and female students.

Terming the establishment of the Arfa Karim Foundation as a positive step towards the promotion of IT development, the prime minister assured full government support at all levels.

The parents of late Arfa Karim appreciated the government's initiatives for the development of the IT sector under the leadership of PM Shehbaz.