KARACHI: Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Pakistan Software Export Board, Ministry of IT, and Hyderabad Institute of Arts, Science and Technology (HiAST).
Under the agreement, a software technology park will be set up at the institute in collaboration with the Ministry of IT and 500 individuals will be given technical assistance by the Ministry of IT’s institution Pakistan Software Export Board.
The MoU was signed by Usman Nasir, MD, Software Export Board and Col. Khalid Khan, Chairman, Institute.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest the Federal Minister, Aminul Haq, said that the MoU between PSEB and HiAST is a major achievement.
In the ceremony, the establishment of the technology park will provide an effective platform to the artisans of Hyderabad and soon technology parks will be erected in other cities of Sindh including Nawabshah, Larkana, Sukkur, Aminul Haq.
The ministry has made plans worth billions of rupees for Sindh only to serve the people, said Aminul Haq. Moreover, Rs 2.10 billion will be spent on optical fiber projects in Shaheed Benazirabad and Naushahro Feroze District, Aminul Haq added.
The Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication said that optical fiber projects were launched for Sukkur, Khairpur, Ghotki, Kashmore last month that cost Rs 3 billion.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Members National Assembly, Sabir Hussain Qaim Khani, Salluh-ud-Din, senior officials of the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Software Houses Association, Hyderabad Information & Software Houses Association.
Amin ul Haq also stated that country’s IT industry has achieved significant expansion and export growth however the IT industry remains concentrated in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. As a consequence, people seeking jobs in the tech sector come to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
He stressed the need for close liaison between IT Industry and public sector entities for ensuring the holistic growth of Pakistan’s IT sector.
Currently, there are 16 software technology parks across Pakistan offering state-of-the-art facilities to technology companies.