Digital transformationof Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Shakirullah

The digital economy is taking shape and undermining conventional notions about how businesses are structured, firms interact and consumers obtain services, information, and goods. Here Information Technology has assumed a central and enabling role in the emerging dynamics of a knowledge-based society and economy.
The Information Technology sector in Pakistan is carving a differentiated position as the preferred source for software development, Business Process Outsourcing, and freelancing. Pakistan has been ranked at number four for freelance development in the world and its IT exports have increased 70% during the last few years. About 60% of its 200 million populations in the 15 to 29 age group, Pakistan represents an enormous human and knowledge capital. More than 20,000 IT graduates and engineers are being produced here each year.
The provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through its dedicated Information Technology Board (KPITB) continues to facilitate the IT industry through numerous sustainable development and accelerated digitization projects, research, and innovation, software technology parks, subsidized bandwidth, marketing, certifications, internships, and training. Incentives to bolster growth include tax exemption on IT & IT export revenues, tax exemptions to startups, subsidized Software Technology Parks and Special Technology Zones.
With rapidly expanding mobile and internet connections, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is fast undergoing a digital transformation. This has the potential to significantly drive growth, expand job opportunities, and improve service delivery. Supporting this digital transformation, the province has dedicatedly focused on supporting regulations, strengthening institutions, and increasing capabilities for Digital Access, Digital Governance, Digital Economy, and Digital Skills in the region.
To meet the growing demand, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board has successfully established the first-ever government-owned Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) facility in different cities of the province which have attracted national and international IT companies to establish their offices in the region utilizing the talent of local skillful workforce. Similarly, KPITB initiated capacity-building projects through which thousands of IT graduates have been trained in different employable basic and advanced digital skills including initiatives for women only.
The web is changing lives in Peshawar – the oldest surviving city in Asia. Citizens glean vital information from Facebook and WhatsApp video calls are an important way for overseas workers to stay in touch with family members back home. Amazon has added Pakistan to its list of authorized sellers. The Bloomberg report says Startup Fever Is Gripping the World’s Last Big Untapped Nation and Global investors are pouring money into Pakistan’s budding tech sector. More than $300 Million has flowed into Pakistan’s nascent technology sector during 2021 that is more than in the previous six years combined, with investors from the U.S., Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates joining the rush. The report says It’s a record for Pakistan and the funding surge is expected to continue.