KARACHI, Aug 11: The information technology will help the country in economic development and the nation will be ushered in a period of prosperity and progress.
This was stated by Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro at the inaugural dinner of ITCN-Asia 2002 at the Governor’s House on Saturday night.
He pointed out that President Pervez Musharraf had taken a personal interest in the field of information technology.
Mr Soomro said it was the significant digital divide that would make the difference. “Everything is getting more and more technology-based. Things have to be smart as this is the smart age and smart gadgets.”
He also pointed towards the tremendous potential that exists in Pakistan in the IT field.
Federal minister for science and technology Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said a country’s real wealth was its people and added that investment in education was the only way forward.
He was of the view that there was immense potential for Pakistan in the sphere of information technology.
Prof Atta pointed out that during the past 18 months an investment of dollars 150 million had poured into the information technology in the country.
Interior minister Moinuddin Haider said stimulating growth in the IT sector would create vast opportunities in Pakistan in due course of time which would consequently accrue immense benefit to the masses.
“The country will be able to contribute immensely in the IT sector and carve out a niche for itself globally in the near future,” he stated.
Referring to working of the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA), he said it had developed database of 61 million citizens with comprehensive use of IT and for this purpose 6,500 data operators had been employed.
John Marshall of Softlight Inc., Canada, said his company was committed to bring investment to Pakistan to help build information technology infrastructure as well as the education sector.
Suhail Shahid, managing-director of Pakistan Software Development Board, was optimistic that Pakistan would make rapid progress in the information technology.
Jeh Shyan Wong, chief executive officer of CommerceNet, Singapore, also spoke of Pakistan’s huge potential in the realms of information technology.
Aqeel Al-Jaseem, secretary-general of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was optimistic that ITCN-Asia 2002 would play an important role towards bringing about economic stability in Pakistan.
Sindh minister for finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said ITCN- Asia 2002 conference and exhibition symbolised a lot for Pakistan.—APP/PPI