BENEFITS FOR TAKING UP DIGITAL PAKISTAN POLICY.

Byline: AHSAN NISAR

The present government is striving to improve its citizens' quality of life and economic well-being by ensuring availability of accessible, affordable, reliable, universal and high-quality Information and Telecommunications Technology (ICT) services. It believes in mass adoption of emerging digital technologies and innovative applications to enable cross-sector socio-economic development and transformation of economic activities, governance models, social interaction, and achievement of sustainable development goals. It was in this backdrop that Digital Pakistan Policy was announced. The aim is to make Pakistan more digitally inclusive and use technology for the greater public good. Based on five strategic pillars (which include access and connectivity, digital infrastructure, e-government, digital skilling and literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship), the initiative marks a milestone in the journey towards creating a digital ecosystem. Key policy objectives are as under:

Holistic digital strategy

Sectoral digitalization

Enhancement in current market size of electronic and mobile commerce

Youth/Women/Girls' empowerment

B Promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship, start ups and incubators in IT sector

Increase in IT exports and remittances

Improvement in ICT ranking of Pakistan

Digital inclusion through development if IT zones, technology parks and telecenters

E-governance

Increase foreign and domestic investment

Reduction in barriers for disabled persons

Coordination and support of standardization efforts

One of the main elements of this strategy is to increase the digital capacity. A few important projects worth over Rs160 promoting meaningful entrepreneurship and innovation, establishment of a university and centers of excellence in key areas of technology are being implemented. These programs are meant to create a digital...