Islamabad, In a significant move to bolster the IT industry, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has inaugurated the establishment of Pakistan E-Rozgar Co-Working Centers nationwide. This initiative is designed to support freelancers and foster growth in the IT sector.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister, while addressing the launch of Tech Destination Pakistan in Islamabad, outlined that these co-working centers would provide interest-free loans, assistance, and training to enhance the skills of the youth. He highlighted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to create an ecosystem where talented individuals in the IT field can thrive and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economy.
Prime Minister Kakar emphasized the government’s focus on the IT sector as a key driver for sustainable economic development. He expressed the administration’s dedication to promoting the IT industry through the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
Moreover, Caretaker Minister for Information Technology Dr. Umar Saif, speaking at the event, announced that 10,000 E-Rozgar centers are planned across Pakistan. Half of these will be established at academic institutions and the remainder in the private sector. The initiative aims to provide essential resources to freelancers who lack access to facilities like office space, expensive laptops, generators, and uninterrupted internet.
Dr. Saif also mentioned two major programs initiated in cooperation with the Higher Education Commission to support the IT industry with skilled manpower. These include a centralized test across universities to assess IT skills of students and mandatory industry placements before graduation, with the government providing stipends and cash rewards to industries offering apprenticeships.
The E-Rozgar program, originally started in Punjab, is being scaled up as part of the government’s vision for a digital Pakistan, encompassing multiple cross-sectoral digital transformation initiatives.