ISLAMABAD (TELECOALERT)
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has announced its digital policy as a part of its election manifesto in July. The digital policy presented by PTI’s leader Asad Umar was aimed at enhancing the IT-related exports of Pakistan from $2 billion to $10 billion, job creation for Pakistani youth and to control corruption by the promotion of E-governance. The policy was reportedly formulated by involving the IT industry and other stakeholders in the consultation process.
It was also announced that a Central Knowledge Economy Authority that will be headed by a CIO having powers equivalent to a Minister. The authority will be governed by the industry stakeholders and the government and the governing body will ensure the conformance of the Provinces, Ministries and Departments across all provinces of Pakistan with the National Digital Strategy.
But since the new government came into power, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was announced as the Minister for IT. He is being strongly criticized for his lack of professional education and knowledge in the field has not taken any measures yet for the implementation of the digital policy announced by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. It seems like the implementation of the digital policy is currently not the priority of the new Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Dr Atta-ur-Rehman who was the former chairman HEC was also engaged by the PTI and offered to be the advisor, but he refused due to his National and International commitments. Ali Haider Zaidi who has a background in IT deserved to be the IT Minister, but he was completely bypassed during the selection process. It’s just a matter of time to see whether the policy will actually be implemented by the new government or not.