Only 323-software house operation in Pakistan
Karachi- Despite government’s hectic efforts to promote Information Technology (IT), the sector is failed to gear up to its full capacity and only 323 Software houses (SWH) out of 664 are reported to be operational throughout the country.
According to “Census of Software Industry and related services of Pakistan 2002” compiled by Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), first time in history of Pakistan, 86% (278) operational software houses while rest 14% (45) did not shared data with bureau. Out of these 278 houses about 88% (245) are local and 12% (33) are subsidiaries.
Data revealed that some 212 SWHs are operating locally of which 66 have their overseas branches. Some 50% SWHs are located in Islamabad, 30% in Lahore and rest in Port City of Karachi.
Census disclosed that only 17 (6%) have achieved ISO IT standard whereas 250 (90%) have not obtained this standard. According to data compiled, some 8,527 persons are employed in 278 software houses of which 90% were male while only 10% were females. It noted that about 85 Ph. Ds, 44 M.Phil are employed by these SWH while other 30% of total work force holds e master degrees.
Though complete data was not shared by software houses with FBS overall exports of 115 SWHs were calculated at US$:22.114 million in year 2000-01 but crude estimation shows their earnings via exports at US$:45.382 million.
Source: The Nation
Date:6/23/2002
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
