Digital future can be thrived through the digital empowerment of
youth. They may redefine norms of growth and build new capacity
to accelerate IT exports, CEO SRP Technologies informs the TFD
Muhammad Umar Waqqas
KARACHI: Pakistan’s IT sector has achieved consistent, consecutive year on year growth that can be the envy of any industry anywhere in the world and is a superstar on its way to possibly becoming the largest foreign exchange earner for Pakistan. Already, the IT industry is among the top five net exporters of the country with the highest net exports in the services industries. Pakistan’s IT industry is exporting products and services to the world’s largest entities in over 120 countries.
CEO, SRP Technologies Umer Aziz has been emphasizing on youth development and their comprehensive digital training according to the latest changes in the technology sector. He says “Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of global transformation, driving unprecedented innovation and reshaping industries. Countries like Singapore, the United States, and parts of Europe have embraced AI readiness, boasting high scores (above 0.75) on the AI Preparedness Index. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s position is far behind, with a score of just 0.3. This ranking reflects critical shortcomings in infrastructure, human capital, innovation, and governance, which must be urgently addressed for Pakistan to harness AI’s transformative potential.”
Umer Aziz says, “AI is more than just a tool for development in Pakistan; it is essential for the country’s future. By using AI to solve key challenges like infrastructure, healthcare, education and agriculture. Pakistan should improve its resource management, should train youth to serve and provide better services across the country. For example, AI can help farmers make smarter decisions, improve medical diagnoses, and streamline government services, making them more efficient and accessible, especially in rural areas. With a young, tech-savvy population and growing digital ecosystem, AI could help Pakistan become a leader in the global economy. Integrating AI into national policies will allow the country to innovate, attract investment, and become more competitive on the world stage. Cooperation and coordination between academic institutions, IT Industry and provincial tech boards should be enhanced significantly to ensure holistic growth of the IT Industry across Pakistan. Pakistan stands at a crossroads. While the challenges to achieving AI readiness are significant, the opportunities are equally immense. By investing in infrastructure, reforming education, fostering innovation, and implementing robust governance frameworks, Pakistan can transform itself into an AI-powered economy. AI is not just a tool for technological advancement – it’s a catalyst for economic growth, societal development, and global competitiveness. With a strategic national AI policy and collective efforts from all stakeholders, Pakistan can unlock its AI potential and secure a brighter future for its people.”
Pakistan was ranked 91st in the Global Innovation Index in 2024. Modern Technologies are important to adopt, it improves efficiency, communication, and collaboration. It can also help businesses stay competitive and innovative. Incorporating AI and ML capabilities into their strategies and systems helps organizations rethink how they use their data and available resources, drive productivity and efficiency, enhance data-driven decision-making through predictive analytics, and improve customer and employee experiences.
“Modern technologies have the power to dramatically change our everyday lives. We often see negative reactions from society towards new technologies but the results of different international surveys show that people are increasingly embracing these technologies and recognising its potential and, most importantly, its benefits. Globally, 82% of people plan to educate themselves about AI in the future, with 54% planning to do this through self-study, highlighting a significant gap in AI skills offerings and help from businesses and institutions in helping society prepare for this era. Pakistan should also focus on adoption of modern technologies and train the youth according to their needs,” CEO SRP Technologies Umer Aziz tells TFD.