ISLAMABAD, June 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that the government would take steps for promotion of Information Technology (IT) and would consider lifting of GST on computer equipment.

This he said while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Computer Association (PCA), led by its President Munawar Iqbal, at PM house.

Chairman, Central Board of Revenue (CBR), Abdullah Yousaf, Secretary Ministry of Information Technology Farrukh Qayum and Managing Director Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Yousaf Hussain, were also present there.

According to a press release of the association, the prime minister said the GST on computer equipment will be lifted after proper consultations with relevant authorities and the government would make a decision in this regard soon.

He further said that full security would be provided to investors and experts involved in the IT industry because government wanted to provide flourishing opportunities to the IT community.

The PCA delegation apprised the prime minister about the problems being faced by the community for the promotion of IT industry and demanded their solution, particularly the withdrawal of GST on computer equipment.

The PCA president informed the meeting that the promotion of IT was damaged badly due to the imposition of GST.

He said that computer business faced huge slump due to this duty and it should be withdrawn for the revival of computer industry in the country.

The association also presented its proposal for the uplift of IT in the country, including the launch of local brand by the government and provision of computers at doorstep to consumer on easy installments.

The prime minister accepted the proposals for further consideration and also directed IT secretary to provide space to PCA at Software Park for the establishment of a digital library.