The Caretaker Minister of Information Technology, Dr. Umar Saif, has officially announced the federal government’s intentions to bring PayPal and Stripe in Pakistan. Additionally, plans are in motion to establish co-working spaces tailored to the needs of freelancers.

Dr. Umar Saif shared this exciting development following a meeting with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar. During the meeting, PM Kakar granted approval for a comprehensive project aimed at boosting the IT industry in the country.

Dr. Saif emphasized that with the removal of certain obstacles, Pakistan’s IT exports could potentially reach $10 billion. In light of this, the Prime Minister has directed key government bodies, including finance, commerce, energy, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), to engage in consultations.

Furthermore, Dr. Saif underscored the pivotal role of the IT sector in ensuring economic stability through cooperative projects. He explained that efforts are already underway to provide training to young individuals, thereby enhancing the quality of services in the sector.

“The government has initiated a plan to train 200,000 IT professionals through collaboration with the industry and academia. These professionals will contribute to increasing IT exports by an additional $5 billion,” stated Dr. Saif.

In a detailed message posted on social media (formerly Twitter), the Caretaker IT Minister disclosed that the Caretaker Prime Minister had not only approved but also commended the plan to launch a government-backed Pakistan Venture Capital Fund. This fund aims to attract top-tier international venture capitalists to invest in startups, with a potential investment of $1 billion.

Furthermore, the plan includes the launch of Starlink in Pakistan to enhance connectivity nationwide. To facilitate this, the government is actively working on enabling active spectrum sharing, implementing forward-looking taxation policies, regulations, and incentives for the telecom industry, all with the goal of preparing for the upcoming 5G auction within the next 10 months.

Dr. Saif concluded by mentioning incentives for local smartphone manufacturing and exports, as well as the introduction of a smartphone financing platform. This platform aims to make it easier for people to acquire smartphones through monthly installments, thereby stimulating local demand for these devices.

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Punjab government has approved a summary to replace Dr. Umar Saif, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), according to reliable sources who added that the charge is likely to be given to Habibur Rehman Gilani, a senior bureaucrat, who will be appointed in accordance with the new rules.

Dr. Umar Saif was appointed as the chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board in November 2011.

In a statement shared with news source Dr Umar Saif confirmed the development.

Statement further read:

All good things must come to an end. It was a privilege to serve this country for 7 years.

I served 5 successive governments and established two institutions: PITB, which became the main reform engine for the government with over 300 projects in Punjab and other provinces, and ITU, which in just 5 years, became one of the premier technology universities of Pakistan with close to 100 PhD faculty members.

Plan9, PlanX and e-rozgaar paved new avenues of entrepreneurship, innovation and employment for the youth of Pakistan.

I am truly proud of all my team members. 1,700 fantastic professionals at PITB; 112 faculty members at ITU.

In the end, I served for as long as I could — beyond provincial boundaries and political divides — and gave it all I had. I am sure those who come in future will take these institutions to new heights. Pakistan zindabad!

Winner of Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award, Dr. Saif is also serving as the Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University. He is PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge.

In April this year, Dr Umar Saif was appointed as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Chair for using Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD).

Dr Saif is also known for his work on using ICT solutions for developing-world problems. He is also the founder of Plan9, Pakistan’s largest startup incubator and is often credited as one of the main forces behind the IT ecosystem in Pakistan.

Saif’s work on grassroots technologies received the MIT Technovator Award in 2008 and he was named a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum in 2010.

News Source: Pro Pakistani

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Dr. Umar Saif, the Chairman and Founder Vice Chancellor of Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB) and the Mayor of Austin, Mr. Steve Adler signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The Memorandum featured the establishment of Lahore and Austin as the science cities.

During an official visit to USA Dr. Saif met with the US officials and the representatives from different institutions and specially the Mayor of Austin. During their meeting Dr. Saif introduces them to the successful programs PITB has been able to establish over the years like E-rozgaar, Wi-Fi Hotspots, E-Learn, Digital Inclusion and Smart transport solution.

For MoU Dr. Saif had to say,

“Under the MoU it is agreed to co-operate in the initiatives like organizing bi-lateral trade, economic development, and exchange missions to each city. Promotion of capital exchange and investment, development of joint educational programs and exchange opportunities between Austin universities and ITU will enable both sides to prepare students for the future.”

According to Dr. Saif some salient features of the MoU were:

1) Development of business-focused cultural exchange projects between the creative industry sub-sectors of both cities.

2) Broker international relationships between individuals and organizations.

3) Special attention on fields like innovative high-technology, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, professional services.

4)  Any other sector that can bring economic development.

5) Linkage of the financial and investment sectors in an effort to promote foreign direct investment in both communities,

6) Expansion of workforce development and education opportunities for the next generation of employees in the high-technology.

7) Promotion of creative industry.

8) Launch programs specially designed for students of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).

The MoU will bring benefits to all and with this hope that Lahore and Austin Science Cities would help in greater development of country, the MoU was signed.

Dr. Saif also invited the mayor of Austin to visit Pakistan.

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It is reported that Dr. Umar Saif, is now the part of Cabinet of Punjab. Umar Saif is actually Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University (ITU). The news came across saying that he has been appointed as new advisor to the Chief Minister Shabaz Shareef. The news was confirmed by Umar Saif who responded via tweet:

Dr. Umar Saif has a rich academic background. He has been student at LUMS, Cambridge and MIT. He completed his studies and became an entrepreneur and computer scientist. His ultimate success started when he joined the Information Technology University (ITU), Punjab as Vice-Chancellor in 2013. Over there Dr. Umar Saif worked to establish university and its courses. His works just is not limited to that but he has launched many programs to improve the services provided to the ordinary citizens including police, high-court, city district government, health and education, especially using smart phones.

In collaboration with Google, he led the development of Punjab Innovation Policy and launched Plan-9, Pakistan’s first and largest public-sector startup incubator. Dr Saif has also helped bolster IT in Pakistan. Though his achievements cannot be defined by awards still they show his success. He is the first ever Pakistani in top 35 of young innovators in the world (TR35) by MIT Technology Review and also to receive Google Faculty Research Award in 2011.

Sitarta Imtiaz is one if his biggest achievement of life. This is not an ordinary award. It is presented to someone who does something unique and extraordinary. Dr.Saif is one of those people in Pakistan who deserve this award. H addition to the Cabinet of Punjab stimulates optimism regarding the growth of IT and ICT research and innovation in Punjab.

Dr. Saif is one of those people who make their name by working hard day and night. Success comes to those who strive for it. There is a long journey of success waiting ahead. We wish he climbs more ladders and we congratulate him for this his success from core of our hearts.

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