Pakistan Open Source Foundation’s Launching Event

Pakistan Open Source Foundation (OSFP) that aims to promote “Open Source Technologies” in Pakistan, held its launching event at Juice Zone Cafe Islamabad. Moreover, the first elections for Executive Council and office bearers positions were also held.

The main idea behind forming such a foundation was to increase awareness about open source technologies in  Pakistan and especially amongst the youth of our country. During the event, it was discussed that majority of our companies are fully dependent on foreign hardware and software and so a huge amount of money is spent on acquiring the licenses for such hardwares and softwares. Through utilization of open source technologies the overall costs can be reduced and it would bring numerous benefits to the economy and welfare of our country. Out of 500 fortune companies of the world, 95% operate on Linux based operating systems, therefore OSFP would put forward its efforts to promote open source hardware and software in the country.

The individuals selected for the Executive Council of OSFP are the following:

1- Mr. Saleem M. Rafik (Director General Operations NADRA)
2- Dr. Syed Iqbal Ahmad PhD (Adviser TVET Oxfam Novib Pakistan Country Office, Ex Chief Scientist Pakistan Agri Research Center )
3- Ms. Asma Qadeer Assiatant Professor Linguistics (Vice President Women Wing Baluchistan Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf)
4- Mr. Tahir Mahmood Chaudhary President (Pakistan Computer Society, Pakistan Institute of Entrepreneurs, Falcon Engineering)
5- Mr. Sarfaraz M. Khan (Chief Technology Officer Path Finder, Ex Vice President Vectra Com Pvt. Ltd)

And the individuals selected for office bearers positions are the following:

1- President: Mr. Jahanzeb Arshad (Vice President Operations, Nayatel Pvt Ltd.)
2- Vice President: Mr. Asim Hussain (CEO, COMSATS Internet Services)
3- General Secretary: Mr. Qasim Mahmood (Head of Data Center, FAST Islamabad)
4- Treasurer: Mr. Anwar Shahzad (ACMA)