PESHAWAR: President Dr Arif Alvi here on Wednesday said that promotion of technical and virtual online education was imperative for sustainable economic growth and development besides taking full advantage of abundant employment opportunities in local market and abroad.

Addressing as chief guest the 35th annual general meeting and conference of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics titled here at Institute of Management Sciences (IMS) Hayatabad, he said that the existing scenarios of international, regional and local markets demanded speedy progress in fields of IT, science and technology and contemporary virtual online education.

“We have to focus on development of human resource and equip our youth with required skills to fully explore domestic and international markets,” said Mr Alvi. He added that international companies were keen to invest in different sectors including IT in Pakistan and skilful human resources were needed to cater to the investors’ demands.

Dr Arif Alvi insists international firms keen to invest in Pakistan

He said that the country had the potential to achieve all economic goals by adopting innovative approach and broadening of vision besides a paradigm shift in educational system.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s acumen and farsightedness during Covid-19 pandemic was globally appreciated.

He added government’s policy of smart lockdown not only protected millions of poor people from hunger and starvation but significantly reduced the impact of the pandemic on the country’s economy.

“Despite criticism, we did not close mosques and allowed worshipers to fulfil their religious obligations during Covid-19,” said the president. He added SOPs policy of government proved effective and highly productive.

He said that monetary gains should not be prioritised in each and every situation rather humanitarian aspects of life should also be considered to help out poor people.

He said that socioeconomic imbalance and unjust distribution of wealth were major reasons of poverty in developing countries that could be addressed by promoting equality, justice and merit in the society.

“We need to identify global and regional market trends and invest accordingly for maximum capital,” said the president. He urged the entrepreneurs and businessmen of the country to utilise IT platforms for exploring new markets worldwide. He said that cyber security emerged as a new challenge that could be tackled by imparting the youth with modern IT education.

He said that information technology changed global dynamics and the most appropriate choice for them was to prepare a generation that was well-equipped in knowledge of artificial intelligence and cyber security.

The president said that peace in Afghanistan was vital for Pakistan. He said that investors and businessmen of both countries would be largely benefited from peace in Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2021