Federal Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said the government is in final stages of introducing a broadband policy, which would bring a fast-paced Internet opening, not feasible on slow moving internet connections.
He was addressing the 'National Conference on IT on Prospects of IT Industry in Pakistan' organised by the experts advisory cell (EAC) of the Ministry of Industries and Production and Computer Society of Pakistan (CSP).
He informed that broadband access would herald an era of widespread video conferencing, distance education, tele-services, electronic commerce involving pictures and demonstration videos, real-time stock trading, gaming, entertainment and a host of other applications.
He mentioned that the IT ministry was already targeting this area by taking policies and measures that would bring down price of broadband to affordable level safeguarding the interest of service providers.
The minister said that IT projects worth Rs 29 million will be initiated soon to enable IT companies gain ISO certification. 52 companies have already achieved the certification under this programme while 20 other will gain certification by this year.
The main objective of the conference is to encourage new investors and to promote Pakistan's IT products at the international level.
He said by launching the projects to assist IT companies, the government is trying to improve services to achieve different level of quality certificates and enrich their profiles through business interaction with international giants like Microsoft.
The minister said that the government is providing Rs 18.6 million for preparing and certifying five companies to achieve COPC certification.
He informed that CMM and CMMI were two other certifications that will give international stamp of approval and improve the inherent functioning of these companies and make them more competitive.
He further informed that the IT ministry is already funding two projects worth Rs 37 million and Rs 31 million to prepare and certify 30 companies to get CMMI level 2 certification and five companies to get CMM level 3 or better certification.
The minister said that lack of quality and standard and the credibility to deliver large projects was impeding growth in the IT sector.
The minister said that most of the companies were unable to get business because they had not established their credibility through implementing projects.
He informed that 1500 interns have completed their practical training under the programme including game development and web designing.
Pakistan Software Export Board managing-director Dr Amir Matin advised the IT companies to achieve the levels of quality certification and enhance their profile by taking them to world markets through exhibitions and contacts with IT companies like Microsoft.
EAC chief engineer Zahid Aziz said IT industry was contributing significantly to the growth of national economy providing employment, generating revenues and enhancing country's exports.
Dr Ejaz H. Khwaja, head of technology department of International Islamic University, said that there are several steps still awaited from the government including low-cost PCs, scholarship schemes for students, internet kiosks, internet community centers, educational network in universities and business incubators.
He spoke about problems faced by Pakistani goods in international market, which were due to the policies of the government and low quality education.
Dr Ayub Alvi, dean of the FAST University, said that academia is also unsatisfied with the quality of manpower produced by local institution as 80 percent of students come out from low quality institutions.
Research is non-existing in IT industry and liberal funding in research is the dire need of hour, he asserted.