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Dr. Saif unveils first ever national IT Export Strategy to increase IT Exports, up to $10bn

Dr. Saif unveils first ever national IT Export Strategy to increase IT Exports, up to $10bn

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Dr. Saif unveils first ever national IT Export Strategy to increase IT Exports, up to $10bn

Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Dr. Umar Saif Thursday unveiled the nation’s first ever national IT Export Strategy to increase Pakistan’s IT exports, up to $10 billion in the next three years.

Speaking as a chief guest at the launching ceremony, he said that the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) under Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and other international partners, including faculty from the University of Oxford, developed the strategy closely aligned with the government’s vision.

The minister said that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) was the only key that open the door to stabilizing and strengthen the country’s economy.

He said that Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) had a significant role in enabling the sector and removing departmental bottlenecks.

The minister hoped the forum of the SIFC would attract more Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan.

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Highlighting about the strategy to increase ICT exports, Dr. Umar Saif said that according to the official figures, IT exports were $2.6 billion, the government would add another 200,000 skilled people to the existing IT workforce, which would increase exports to $5 billion.

Similarly, allowing IT companies to keep dollars (Dollar retention facility) will increase exports by one billion dollars, while the establishment of The Pakistan Startup Fund will increase the total volume of IT exports by another $1 billion to help it meet the target of $10 billion.

Dr. Umar called for the strategy’s potential, presenting a vision that prioritizes human resource development, capacity building, the implementation of a freelancers’ facilitation program, a startup funding initiative, and the nurturing of a resilient IT ecosystem.

Talking about the key points of the report, he said that the report confirmed that there was a substantial opportunity for Pakistan to grow its IT/ITeS Export revenues to $10-$18bn by 2028 and would make Pakistan a Global IT hub, with a commensurate increase in the Domestic industry to over $6bn per annum.

He further said this was particularly the case in five priority IT/ITeS market segments, and within those, 12 priority sub-segments for the Pakistan IT/ITeS Industry which have been identified as having a combination of a high global market growth rate, significant global market size and a large part of the global market available to exploit as there are relatively few established players.

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Additionally, an increase of activity, capacity, and capability of the IT/ITeS Industry will have spin-off benefits for associated industries and the economy at large – for example e-Commerce, Financial Services, or the provision of public services (e-Government).

Growth in Pakistan’s IT/ITeS exports will result from the global growth in IT markets, and to support this, the country needed to undertake a significant training and skills initiative over the next five years.

However, the Export market growth will be sub-optimal if the macro-conditions in the country are not also made more favorable – if this is not done, it is likely the level of ambition for IT/ITeS exports will not be met.

Zohaib Khan, Chairman of P@SHA, delivered a resonant message on the critical role of the IT industry in shaping Pakistan’s economic landscape.

He underscored the pivotal importance of industry participation, emphasizing how the report was meticulously guided by industry insights. Mr. Zohaib Khan also highlighted how industry collaboration is integral to the success of national projects and initiatives.

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Gerard Newman, Study Project Director, a former senior partner of PwC UK, shed light on the significant opportunities for Pakistan’s IT/ITeS export revenues. He identified five priority IT/ITeS market segments with significant global market size and relatively limited competition, and the need for an enabling business environment to support the growth of the nation’s IT/ITeS industry.

The ceremony also featured a panel discussion with industry experts, addressing key aspects of the strategy, including challenges and the way forward.

The discussions emphasized unanimous agreement on strategies to remove current constraints and penalties inhibiting the industry’s growth.

The event was also attended by ambassadors of various countries.

The event underscored Pakistan’s commitment to elevating its IT/ITeS export revenues, aiming for substantial growth of over $10 billion annually in the upcoming years.

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Dananeer Mobeen, Ahad Raza’s growing bond leaves fans speculating

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Ahad Raza Mir and Dananeer Mobeen are making headlines with their ongoing drama ‘Meem Se Mohabbat’, which has garnered a great deal of attention from viewers.

However, it’s not just their on-screen chemistry that has fans talking. Off-screen, the duo has also become the subject of dating rumours, with fans speculating about the growing bond between them.

Ahad and Dananeer’s families have also become close in recent months. Ahad’s father, Asif Raza Mir, stars alongside Dananeer in ‘Meem Se Mohabbat’, and Ahad’s mother.

Adding fuel to the dating speculations, Dananeer recently shared a heartfelt Instagram story featuring a picture of her favorite dish, Dumba Karahi, cooked by Ahad’s mother Samra Asif using her own mom’s recipe.

This thoughtful gesture from Ahad’s family has left fans wondering if there’s more to their relationship than meets the eye.

It is to be noted that a few months ago rumours were rife that Ahad is in relationship with actress Ramsha Khan. But now latest buzz suggests that he is no longer seeing her.

However, there has been no official confirmation regarding any of these speculations.

Earlier, Ahad and his father also celebrated Dananeer’s graduation, further strengthening the bond between the two

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Video showing Salman Khan travelling in taxi makes the rounds

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Video showing Salman Khan travelling in taxi makes the rounds

A leaked video from the film’s set recently went viral on social media.

It shows Salman stepping out of a kaali-peeli taxi in a rugged look, wearing a blue shirt and jeans. The shoot took place in Mumbai under tight security, and parts were also filmed near Hyderabad’s famous Falaknuma Palace.

While the Ek Tha Tiger actor is seen sitting beside the driver, a few others can be seen sitting in the backseat. As the taxi stops, two other taxis coming behind are seen pulling their brakes.

A couple of months back, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan reportedly purchased bulletproof SUVs from Dubai, amid the death threats issued by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

After around 8 months of the firing incident, Salman also upgraded the security of his home in Mumbai’s Galaxy Apartment.

However, recently, Sallu was spotted travelling in a ‘Kaali Peeli’ taxi and the video has gone viral on social media.

Salman Khan is ready to wow his fans once again with his upcoming film Sikandar. Directed by AR Murugadoss, known for hits like Ghajini and Thuppakki, the movie promises intense action and drama. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Sikandar will release on Eid 2025.

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Richard Gere says happier than ever after leaving America for Spain

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Richard Gere says happier than ever after leaving America for Spain

Richard Gere has opened up about moving to Spain from the United States with his family.

In a recent interview with Elle España, the 75-year-old said that since making the move with his wife Alejandra Silva and their children — sons Alexander, 5, and James, 4, in addition to Silva’s 11-year-old son Albert from her previous marriage to Govind Friedland — they are “happier than ever.”

“The truth is that you are seeing us in our momentum. We are happier than ever,” he told the publication. “[Alejandra], because she is at home and I because, if she is happy, I am happy.”

The Pretty Woman actor first revealed he was selling his home in Connecticut with the goal of moving to Spain back in November 2024.

The home had been originally purchased in 2022 for $10.8 million.

Back in April that year, the Runaway Bride actor opened up about wanting to leave the U.S. and start a life with Silva in Spain so she could spend more time with her relatives.

Silva, 41, is originally from La Coruña, Spain, though she’s spent considerable time with Gere in the States since their 2018 wedding.

Gere met Silva in Positano, Italy, in 2014 when he was still married to his second wife, Carey Lowell — with whom he shares 24-year-old son Homer. Before Lowell, the Hollywood star was married to supermodel Cindy Crawford from 1991 to 1995.

“For Alejandra, it will be wonderful to be closer to her family, her lifelong friends, and her culture,” Gere told Vanity Fair Spain at the time. “She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers.”

The Agency actor further discussed the move while speaking on The Today Show in November. “My wife is Spanish, and we’re going there for her family, her friends, her culture,” he said. “The kids are bilingual, so it’s really going to be great for them.”

Gere isn’t the only well-known figure to have left the U.S. Eva Longoria also revealed in a November interview with Marie Claire that she and her family were splitting their time between Spain and Mexico City.

“I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren’t so lucky. They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them,” she told the outlet.

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