Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Dr Umar Saif on Wednesday said the government would provide interest-free loans to freelancers for establishing e-working centers across the country to ensure peaceful workpalce for them.
Addressing a press conference, he said each freelancer would receive financial assistance of Rs 100,000 to set up their own e-working center. The initiative was aimed at addressing the challenge of lack of suitable workplaces for freelancers so that they could work in a conducive and peaceful environment, he added.
Flanked by Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi, Dr Saif asserted that each freelancer could earn upto $30,000 annually which would significantly contribute to the national economy.
He projected that the measures could increase IT sector’s exports by $3 billion.
The minister said the government was also working for easy access to loans and investments for IT startups, with the expectation of attracting external investments of upto $1 billion within the next six months.
Referring to the skill gap within the IT workforce, Dr Saif said the Pakistani universities currently produced 20,000 to 22,000 IT graduates, but only 2,000 of them managed to secure employment.
The IT Ministry would introduce a standardized quality test in all the universities across Pakistan to ensure job opportunities for fresh graduates, he added.
“We have made significant decisions to revamp IT education in universities in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission, the National Computing Accreditation Council, the Examination Testing Council, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Pakistan Software Houses Association.” Dr. Umar Saif said while emphasizing that students who passed the test would be offered job opportunities through the Industry Placement Programme.
“We will allocate funds to support special industry courses in universities, designed to prepare students in accordance with current industry trends and needs.”
The minister further explained that the National Computing Accreditation Council would consider the passing rate of students to determine a university’s rating.
