ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology Dr Umar Saif expressed his commitment to propel IT exports beyond $10 billion and lead a nationwide digitalization effort.
Addressing the ministry officers after assuming the charge, the minister said his priorities are to fully implement the Digital Pakistan Vision and further promote IT and telecommunication sectors.
We will take all the stakeholders on board in this regard, the newly-appointed minister, computer scientist and technology expert said.
The minister said the increase in ICT exports could help stabilize the economy and in the provision of employment to skilled people and the desire to fully digitize all the government and semi-government departments, and organizations of the country.
Earlier on his arrival at the ministry, Dr Umar Saif was received by Secretary IT Naveed Ahmed Shaikh along with other senior officers. He was given a detailed briefing about the completed, ongoing, and future projects of the IT Ministry.
Dr Umar Saif said as per the Constitution of Pakistan, the responsibilities and powers of the caretaker government were limited, as its main objective was to conduct free, fair and impartial general elections. However, monitoring and taking care of important ministerial affairs were also necessary during the period, he added.
He said that the economy has great potential in terms of science and technology. “Information Technology and Science and Technology will be merged to create a knowledge economy”, he said.
He expressed commitment to taking forward the country’s economy through the promotion of IT, Science and Technology.
Brief profile
Dr Umar Saif is a reputed and known figure in the world of ICT. He is the first Pakistani to receive a PhD in Computer Science from Cambridge University at the age of 23. He has extensive experience in academia, management, consulting, and entrepreneurship in the field of IT.
He has served in several important positions in the IT sector. He served as Chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University. In 2014, he was awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his outstanding services for the country.
He is the first Pakistani to be included in the World’s Top 35 Young Innovators (TR35) in 2011 by MIT Technology Review. He is also the first Pakistani to receive the Google Faculty Research Award in 2011. He was also selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2010.
