The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI) hosted an interactive session with Mr. Zarrar Hasham Khan, Federal Secretary of IT & Telecom, Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), to address key challenges in Pakistan’s technology sector.

OICCI highlighted its substantial contribution to the national economy, representing multinational companies across diverse industries and advocating for policies that accelerate digital transformation. Mr. Zarrar emphasized the Ministry’s goal of increasing Pakistan’s IT exports from $3.2 billion to $15 billion, addressing critical barriers such as visa delays, taxation policies, and export remittance challenges.

The session also emphasized the need for OICCI’s representation in federal IT and digital subcommittees, the introduction of incentives for multinational companies to establish Global Competence Centers in Pakistan, and the role of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in attracting foreign IT investments.

Key topics included Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data privacy, with the Ministry committing to:

• Finalizing and presenting the Personal Data Privacy Act

• Launching an AI White Paper and Policy

• Establishing a private sector-led AI Council to drive AI innovation

The discussion also explored the National Cloud Policy, cybersecurity frameworks, and uninterrupted internet access—critical for the IT sector’s growth. Workforce development was another key focus, recognizing the need to retain skilled professionals, strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and formulate policies that support technology-driven job creation.

The meeting concluded with commitments to:

• Encourage multinational corporations to expand their presence in Pakistan

• Host industry workshops on STZA incentives

• Facilitate engagements between global tech leaders and policymakers

This session reaffirmed the vision of positioning Pakistan as a thriving IT hub, fostering investment, innovation, and sustainable digital growth.