Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT) and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) convened a meeting to review the progress on the establishment of IT parks in Karachi and Lahore, Prime Minister’s Internship Program and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) certification programs used in software development.
Minister of MoITT Anusha Rehman chaired the meeting to assess the state of IT industry of Pakistan and steps being taken to strengthen the growth and exports of the industry.
PSEB Managing Director Asim Shahryar Husain informed the ministry that MoU has been signed with Lahore Knowledge Park Company (LKPC) to acquire land for a new IT park in Lahore. Also, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has consented to assist in the feasibility study of IT Park in Karachi.
About 1500 interns have been placed in IT companies and IT departments of non-IT firms and a batch of another 1500 interns will be placed in the 3rd quarter of 2017.
The board was also notified that about 21 IT companies are shortlisted for CMMI and ISO certifications and their training process has been initiated which will be completed by February. This will help them in capacity building and earn credibility among foreign clients.
IT Minister Anusha Rehman directed the officials to expedite the feasibility studies of IT parks. She also said that maximum IT graduates should benefit from the Prime Minister’s Internship Program. She added that local auditors should be used for CMMI certification instead of foreign auditors for cost effectiveness.