"We have to move out from the agriculture syndrome, as even a huge investment in this sector would not be possible and bring the GDP at a level to meet the future requirements of the county".
"We have to focus our efforts for development of information technology sector because it offers huge opportunities in the region as people are looking for an alternative country to India in IT."
This was stated by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Dr Attaur Rehman while inaugurating the 19th Annual Computer Exhibition organised by Computer Society of Pakistan (CSP), Rawalpindi-Islamabad Chapter, here on Monday.
He said that IT sector has global impact in the development process of the nations. Therefore, its introduction in all walks of life and particularly in industrial sector has become essential, he said, and added that those who developed this sector have touched the heights of progress and brought improved and prosperous life to their people.
He said that Pakistan, if it paid attention to the development of the IT sector, could be the alternative to agriculture sector of the country as it already had fulfilled the prerequisites for it.
For this, he said, "we have to improve our image, unfortunately, has unpalatable impact on the mind of foreign investors". He said that investment in IT was essential to open the doors of knowledge and to bring about access to high-tech to every citizen.
About the initiatives taken by his ministry, he said that Higher Education Commission (HEC) has a digital library which has enabled the students to have access to the precious information by sitting at home.
He said that more than 52 universities in the country have been linked to the fibre and the remaining would also be connected to it soon. He also stressed Academia industrial linkage for which three or four key thrust areas have to be selected for the purpose to make a linkage with the industry.
He said that the government has given highest priority and made all-out efforts to boost this sector by planning elaborate programmes to help and assist the private sector.