Islamabad: The National Assembly has been informed of several governmental initiatives designed to meet the evolving market demands in Artificial Intelligence, information technology, and digital skills. The initiatives include efforts to boost IT exports and digital literacy through strategic partnerships and programs.

According to Radio Pakistan, Parliamentary Secretary of Information Technology Sabheen Ghoury detailed these measures during a Question Hour session. Ghoury highlighted that Software Technology Parks have been instrumental in nurturing startups, with 90 percent of these ventures becoming operational and 36 percent of them led by women. Since 2018, over 4.5 million individuals have registered for the DigiSkills Program, which aims to improve digital competencies across the nation.

The Ministry of Information and Technology is reportedly working with international partners to enhance capacity building. Pakistan’s IT exports reached $3.8 billion in the last fiscal year, driven by a robust freelancer community whose remittances are crucial to the digital economy. Ghoury also announced that the successful 5G spectrum auction this year is expected to further enhance IT exports by providing a digital infrastructure boost.

In related developments, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry discussed the Benazir Hunarmand Programme under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), aimed at empowering women with vocational skills to improve employment prospects. Additionally, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar assured the assembly that any undue increase in educational fees in the Islamabad Capital Territory will be met with stringent action.

The National Assembly is set to reconvene tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.