Ata-ur-Rehman asks Site Association of Industry (SAI) for solid proposals to set up IT park | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Ata-ur-Rehman asks Site Association of Industry (SAI) for solid proposals to set up IT park

KARACHI- Prof Dr Ata-ur-Rehman, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, has advised Site Association of Industry (SAI) to send solid proposals for establishing information technology (IT) park in centre of the city.

He assured the members of the association that if they were interested to open software houses the government would be ready to invest up to Rs 15 million in the shape of computers and accessories, on the condition that the building/space is provided by association.

He fully supported the views of members of Site Association of Industry that flawless telecommunication system is the pre-condition for operation of information technology. He said that the communication ministry is working under him and assured them that he would direct those concerned to upgrade the system in Site area on modem lines.

As regards delay in sanctioning ISDN connections the minister took serious note of it and said that the list of such subscribers be forwarded to him for strict action.

He said that he would see that connections are provided to the subscribers who required ISDN facility for e-commerce within seven days. He said that he had already ordered Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) in this regard.

Mohammad Munir Suria proposed that “SITE Information Technology Association” be set up in which the federal minister will be honorary life chairman.

Imran Shaukat, co-chairman, information technology sub-committee, said that Site was the first to call on the government for information technology park and 50 acres land (No execution ever since). Already, 15-20 members have invested in IT in one shape or the other, he added.

Counting hurdles in the progress of developing IT, he said absence of a broad and bold IT policy, absence of an information technology law, absence of sense of application of IT within the government sectors, harassment on copyright, absence of adaptable regulations, absence of efficient communication Infrastructure, absence of IT education at primary and secondary levels, inefficient software export board and government testing and training bodies and expensive IT education, he proposed that an elaborate and guiding IT policy should be formulated giving direction to the investor and a comprehensive IT ordinance should be promulgated giving cover and legal protection.

He said that training programmes for government employees should be announced on public-private partnership basis and a future target must be set in transferring manual system and data base to electronic media.

Welcoming the guests, Zakaria Usman, chairman of SAI, said that the success of IT depends on flawless communication system, which in SITE area is lacking. He requested the minister to direct the concerned ministry to look into it and upgrade the system in SITE area so that the export-oriented industries could avail the services easily and do e-commerce.

Source: Business Recorder
Date:1/25/2001