PTI unveils its Digital Policy for ‘Naya Pakistan’

Ahead of elections that are due very shortly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has outlined key initiatives that it would be picking to reform the Digital Arena for Pakistan.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is being termed as one of the leading contestants in the upcoming elections, has been up and running pointing out different plans that it would be taking once it partakes the government officially. Today, it unveiled its agenda surrounding actions which it would be taking up to improve the Digital and IT related arena of Pakistan.

The policy doesn’t only talk about IT and startups, rather it addresses different core education-related steps too that would be taken to improve the tech-related expertise in the long run.

PTI Digital Policy

Termed as “PTI Digital Policy”, the policy is by far the first notable policy outlined by any of the major political parties ahead of the elections. The policy has been designed so as to focus on the long-term goals that could improve Pakistan’s stance in the digital domain. The launch took place at a dedicated event today in Islamabad and was attended by many top-brass PTI leaders, including Asad Umar who stated out the policy. CEO DPL IT, Syed Ahmad, was also present on the occasion.

PTI’s Digital Policy basically tackles three important issues, told Imran Khan in a video message, the Digital Policy as outlined by PTI has been designed to kill the dearth of jobs, the policy would also increase the software-related exports and use technology to increase transparency and curb corruption.

PTI’s 14 Points for Digital Pakistan:

1. $2 Billion National digital transformation initiative to digitize government functions and provide different services to citizens through mobile.
2. Using technology, computers and internet to open government data to increase transparency, curb corruption and increase efficiency in governance.
3. Graduate IT education of 50,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds from across Pakistan will be sponsored into tier one universities over 5 years.
4. Establishment of 120 new campuses of tier-1 universities will be supported to produce 100,000 technology graduates/year.
5. Mathematics and Science teacher training and certification program at Government Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools. Direct financial incentives will be provided to tens of thousands of teachers to improve their Mathematics and Science teaching skills.
6. Five new major technology clusters (Special Economic Zones) will be developed with international class infrastructure.
7. Focus will be on creating enabling environment for start-ups and entrepreneurs.
8. 50,000 call center seats available on a turn-key basis to support new jobs creation.
9. One window operation to register a new company and manage all government compliance.
10. A global PR campaign involving expat community to launch Pakistan as tourism and business-friendly destination.
11. Visa issuance on green passport for Businessmen and professionals will be a top priority in bilateral trade talks.
12. Simplification of processes for foreign ownership of companies to encourage international investments.
13. Public-Private Partnership on projects to develop the capability of industry rather than government competing with private businesses.
14. Target will be set to increase the global ranking of Pakistan in ease of doing business, network readiness indices and other global rankings,

The critical role that P@SHA is doing to increase the visibility of issues that Pakistan’s digital and startup related issues needs to be appreciated here. Very recently, government related stake-holders have started taking these issues more seriously. Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, just recently, announced a major incentives package and the biggest tax holiday for the local IT industry.