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PM Kakar gives go-ahead to ministry to bring PayPal, Starlink to Pakistan

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1 year ago

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  • “New IT policy to bring PayPal, Starlink to Pakistan”: Minister.
  • IT exports can reach $10 billion, $1 billion to be raised for startups, says Dr Saif.
  • Training programme for 200,000 IT professionals already commenced, PM told.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday, approved the Ministry of Information and Technology (IT) and Telecommunications’ plan for a new comprehensive policy aiming to bring PayPal, and Starlink to Pakistan.

In his meeting with the Caretaker Minister for IT and Telecom Dr Umar Saif, the premier appreciated the ministry for its comprehensive measures aimed at tapping the unlimited potential of the country’s IT sector.

The prime minister also issued directives to the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Energy to cooperate and collaborate with the Ministry of IT on this matter.

According to Dr Saif, the new IT policy aims to enhance the country’s digital exports via institutionalising dollar retention accounts and allowing an easy flow of money through IT corporate debit cards.

The govt plans to utilise venture capital to raise investments of up to $1 billion for various startups.

Accentuating the country’s potential for the IT sector, the minister said that Pakistan’s digital exports have the potential to reach the $10 billion mark if the hurdles are duly addressed and removed.

According to the minister, the new policy also aims to bring PayPal and Stripe — international online payment processing platforms — to Pakistan and establish co-working spaces for 500,000 freelancers to increase their potential to an additional $3 billion per annum.

To further improve the services sector, the ministry plans to introduce training programmes in line with international standards for the youth, Dr Saif said.

We have already commenced the programme for the training of 200,000 professionals who will contribute towards increasing Pakistan’s IT exports to up to $5 billion, the minister added.

The new policy also aims to ensure enhanced and efficient utilisation of the available spectrum via extensive reforms in this domain.

Furthermore, the ministry plans to introduce active spectrum sharing, forward-looking taxation policies, regulations and incentives for the telecom industry to prepare for the upcoming 5G auction within 10 months, said the interim minister.

Expressing his views on cell phone manufacturing in the country, Dr Saif said that Pakistan is the seventh largest market for cell phones in the world therefore, the ministry intends to incentivise local manufacturing and export of smartphones.

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23 police officers were hurt in an altercation with PTI employees on Attock’s Ghazi Barotha Bridge.

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2 days ago

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Law enforcement officials said that the wounded soldiers were taken right away to local hospitals for medical care. The situation worsened after police officers were allegedly beaten overnight by workers in a truck that was supposedly carrying KP Chief Minister and PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur.

“The altercation happened when the convoy tried to cross the bridge in spite of security restrictions,” the police said. More troops have been sent in to control the situation and bring the peace back.

Investigations are still being conducted to find the people who started the violence. Law enforcement officials have promised that those responsible will face severe consequences.

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Anti-Power Theft Campaign: Government Crackdown on Power Theft Recovers 133 Billion Rupees

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2 days ago

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Considerable success has been made in the government’s attempts to boost Pakistan’s economy, particularly in the fight against power theft.

Since September 2023, the program has recovered more than 133 billion rupees and apprehended more than 87,343 power thieves nationally.

In only the last week, authorities have arrested 314 people for unlawful power use and seized over 1 billion and 6.5 million rupees from power theft.

Relevant organizations have promised to keep working until electricity theft is completely eliminated nationwide.

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According to Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, accusations made against Pakistan by Bushra Bibi, the spouse of the PTI founder, are vile and disgusting because Pakistan has historical relations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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5 days ago

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The defense minister stated at a press conference in Islamabad that the Kingdom should not be involved in politics for selfish reasons because of our historical, religious, and economic ties with Saudi Arabia.

2.8 million Pakistanis work in Saudi Arabia and send millions of dollars in remittances, he added, adding that making unfounded accusations against the country will hurt Pakistan’s economy.

According to him, Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan throughout its most trying moments, and Pakistanis have a deep affection and connection to the Kingdom.

There is a breach among PTI ranks and files, and Khawaja Asif stated that we have never witnessed such a low point in politics.

Given the gravity of the accusation, the Minister said, former Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa should respond right away.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should fight terrorism rather than target the city, he said, adding that the PTI’s demand for a demonstration on November 24 is the third strike on the federal capital.

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