Internet connectivity, legitimate payment gateways and
skilful competence necessary to overcome barriers for
country’s IT growth, Senior IT expert informs the TFD
Muhammad Umar Waqqas
KARACHI: Talha Gadit says “There is a saying, “It’s better to have a frustrated person who complains than someone who no longer cares about the system in place.” This quote emphasises the need for significant improvements in our thought process to drive the evolution of our IT sector.
We are witnessing the rapidly changing world where technology has become pervasive across various fields and industries. However, when it comes to the IT sector, it is essential to consider the role of the government and the initiatives required to foster its growth. In the interest of fairness, let’s explore how the IT sector can improve while acknowledging the necessary actions from the government to expedite this progress”.
He said, “First and foremost, the government needs to recognize its responsibility in bridging the gap between our sector and international IT companies that actively seek partnerships with professional service providers in the Asian region. A practical approach would be to promote international collaborations by organizing networking events through our embassies and consulates general. These events would invite key IT players from capitals such as the US, Canada, UK, Australia, etc., allowing them to interact with and collaborate with our Pakistani IT ventures”.
Talha Gadit stresses to empower the country’s freelancing community. He stated that the government should prioritize enabling the availability of platforms like PayPal in Pakistan. PayPal is a widely used payment platform that our freelancers currently lack access to, limiting their opportunities in the global market. While our IT sector faces numerous barriers, one significant factor that deserves attention is internet connectivity.
We recently witnessed the disruption of internet services in Pakistan during a period of political unrest. This incident was alarming as it neglected the impact on the tech industry. It is not difficult to imagine the embarrassment and challenges faced by our business developers and project managers when they had to inform their international clients about work being halted due to limited internet connectivity. And yes, it is 2023! Such failures have a domino effect, resulting in difficulties in delivering the promised quality of service and causing potential clients to hesitate when considering developers from Pakistan”.
Talha Gadit pointed out that “While we anticipate improvements through government policies, it’s crucial to acknowledge the importance of competency and address the misalignment between our education system and industry requirements. Our IT institutes must prioritize adapting to changing demands and revising the curriculum to produce market-ready professionals who can excel in cutting-edge technologies”.
“By addressing these issues and implementing effective strategies, we can create an appealing environment for IT growth in Pakistan, fostering partnerships, enhancing connectivity, and demonstrating our commitment to providing exceptional IT services. Together, the government, industry, and other stakeholders can propel the IT sector forward and make Pakistan a global player in the digital landscape,” Talha Gadit tells TFD.