Punjab IT Policy Draft is Now Available for General Consultation

Punjab IT Policy Draft is Now Available for General Consultation. Government of Punjab has presented a draft copy of its proposed “IT Policy” welcoming the general public to share feedback and views on the draft.

The draft policy issued and prepared by PITB, covers many areas of Information Technology and relevant realms comprising health, entrepreneurship, education, governance and IT.

Though its still vague that how this provincial IT Policy is going to influence areas that are federal matters. Proposed policy targets to make Punjab a foremost IT hub in the world through strategies and measures that are in provincial control.

Ministry of IT and Telecom is working on National IT policy that perished few years before.  The current national policy was issued sixteen years ago. Anusha Rehman, Minister for IT and Telecom, has constantly said that national IT Policy is in the making. Though nothing significant has come forward in this regard.

Punjab has seemingly taken a lead. And has offered a set of policies for the improvement of IT industry, better usage of IT in health, education and financial inclusion of masses and to mark the province a better business place.

The drafting of the Punjab IT Policy 2016 was in progress since the 2nd PITB Round Table Conference in May 2016. Dr. Umar Saif had revealed that a widespread policy on Information Technology shall be drafted in order to frame the rules and regulations on the IT usage across Punjab. Now, since the draft has been prepared, the Punjab Government has made this draft available for public sessions.

Punjab IT Policy Draft is Now Available for General Consultation

Stating on the said progress, Umar Saif added that the Punjab IT Policy 2016, identifies Information Technology as the pillar of socio-economic growth in the province. And that the project necessities to be made fair.

Also Read: PSEB Held Consultative Session on Draft IT Policy 2016

He further stated,

“We have made the draft available for public consultation and comments on our website. To make the process as inclusive and transparent as possible. I invite all concerned to read the document and provide us with their invaluable feedback.”

Punjab IT Policy visualizes following key objectives:

• Link the digital divide across gender, region and economic classes and accomplish accessible and reasonable access for all.
• Place Punjab as the IT R&D and invention center of Pakistan.
• Establish Punjab as the ideal destination for native and international investment in the IT/ITES/EHM industries.
• Empower the entrepreneurial ecosystem to curl in the field of IT/ITES/EHM.
• Surge financial inclusion and incentivize investment in innovative ICT technologies to stimulate e-commerce in the province.
• Generate an enabling environment for IT Technologies and their safe practice through policy reform and enhancements in legal framework.
• Use ICTs for improving the competences of citizens and setting forward a broader human development outline.
• To work for rapid expansion and growth of the knowledge based economy in the province.
• Support and build human resource and surge employment openings through the use of ICTs.
• To use ICT for a more effective transparent and green governance model in Punjab.

The procedure to draft the IT policy was conducted by TechHub Connect. It’s PITB’s initiative which has been directed to act as a bridge between industry, academia and the government. Over 150 individuals from all walks of life have contributed to the preparation of this draft. More than 20 group discussion sessions were conducted.

The team also studied the policy documents from over 25 countries and states. The document would also be deliberated in detail by important shareholders at the 3rd PITB Round Table Conference on October 25, 2016. Though the IT Policy would take time in guaranteeing sustainability of these endeavors.

However no deadline for submission of any input or consultation of the policy has been mentioned. The supervisory summary, in addition to, the complete document can now be seen on PITB’s website.