Dr Umar Saif, Pakistan’s caretaker federal minister for IT and Telecommunications, said on Wednesday that the country will hear “good news” regarding PayPal and stripe payment gateways in Pakistan in the coming weeks.
Talking about the country’s budding freelancing community, Dr Saif, who was addressing the media alongside caretaker information minister Murtaza Solangi, said that there is no financial instrument available to facilitate payments.
“Therefore, we have held talks with PayPal, Stripe and Wise, and have presented our case to them,” he said.
“These companies have their apprehensions, including the FATF issue. Despite this, we are seeing progress. I am optimistic that we will hear good news regarding PayPal, and Stripe in the coming four to six weeks, and through any formula, we will provide these services to our freelancer community,” he said.
“Amid this decision, we believe that a number of IT companies, which were compelled to keep their reserves outside, will bring its liquidity into Pakistan and our IT exports would soon reach $3.5-4 billion,” said Saif.
The interim minister noted that despite a high demand for the IT sector, there is a dearth of skilled workforce in Pakistan.
“We are working alongside the Higher Education Commission (HEC), under which a standardised test for IT graduates will be conducted. Those who clear it will be provided mandatory apprenticeship in the IT industry,” he said.
Dr Saif said that the test would be conducted by the National Computing and Education Accreditation Council in all universities. The first test would be conducted in December this year, he said.
“We will also train some 16,000 persons in different software services this year,” said Saif. “This will enhance the bench strength of the local IT companies,” he added.
Citing his recent visit to the UAE, where the interim minister attended the GITEX conference, Dr Saif said that there is a huge potential for Pakistani IT companies.
On startups, the interim minister said that the government should facilitate investments in the startup sector.
“In the coming weeks, we will launch the Pakistan Startup Fund, under which we will facilitate and collaborate with global venture capitalists to invest in Pakistani startups. In the coming years, Pakistan will see billion-dollar startups,” he added.
Dr Saif said that the process of auction of around 5G spectrum has been initiated.
“In partnership with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), we are also launching a cell phone financing scheme, which would allow people to purchase high-end phones in installments.
“Through this measure, a market for high-end phones will be established in the country,” he said.
Dr Saif said the government is working on enhancing cyber-security and protection against online data theft.
“A cyber-security authority will be announced in the next few months,” he added.
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