Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Digital Policy is quite extensive when it comes to what is to be done over the next five years. The policy talks about creating more job opportunities for the youth, therefore industry experts suggest some useful and concrete tips and suggestions how technology can be leveraged in Pakistan to do just that.
The first suggestion put forward is to increase the penetration of optic fiber cables in the country. As high speed and good quality digital services are essential for internet-enabled businesses and that it cannot be enforced through telecom regulation alone.
The article by the Express Tribune also states that “less than 10% of Pakistan’s mobile services towers are connected with fibers. In Thailand, more than 90% are. Whereas private-sector operators invest in fibers in lucrative areas, less fortunate areas need special attention.”
Furthermore that the Universal Service Fund that is managed by the IT ministry has the implementation framework as well as necessary cash that is estimated to be around Rs50 billion, however, there is no transparency regarding the cash flow in that direction. Along with the need for optic fibers, there is also a frequency spectrum that is needed in the wireless “last mile” broadband internet access, according to the article.
As there is less than 300MHz of spectrum released so far in the country that we are behind even Bangladesh (450MHz) and Myanmar (600MHz).
There is also talk about enhancing the freelance industry as according to estimated figures show that Pakistani young men and women earn almost a billion US dollars annually through freelancing. However, these statistics are not seen anywhere. There is a need to enable micro-payments and make the process easier along with developing programs that will help Pakistani freelancers.
Furthermore, with indirect ICT taxes in Pakistan being one of the highest in the world, there is also a need to rationalize them as most freelancers depend on the latest technology to deliver their work. Today, Pakistan is one of very few countries that have not acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO)-sponsored Information Technology Agreement (ITA) that abolishes customs duties and taxes on IT goods and services. Abolishing duties on IT products can also lead to more businesses to be established giving the startup economy a major boost.
Speaking of startups there is a further need for more incubators in the country that target the wider population other than the main cities.
