IT sector: Three-phase action plan approved

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to set up technology zones, promote software.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has approved a three-phase action plan for the promotion of information and communication technology in the province.

He was chairing a meeting of the steering committee constituted in this connection at his office on Tuesday.

Under the action plan, measures will be taken for establishing IT parks in Peshawar and Abbotabad, promotion of call centre business, promotion of software and hardware industry and development of human resources.

Hoti said that the promotion of IT is important for the economy of the province, but unfortunately the potential of this sector has not been utilised in a better manner in the past. He said that for the promotion of economic activities, the government is sincere in its efforts, and that is why the steering committee has been constituted.

The meeting was informed that objectives of the programme include provision of international-standard business environment, establishment of software technology parks, broad-based satellite connection, training of graduates in the IT sector and provision of employment opportunities in software houses, corporate sector, banks, economic and other institutes.

The establishment of a technical advisory committee under provincial secretary for IT also got the green signal.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2010.