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Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan launches national ‘Agri Stack' to digitize farming sector
KARACHI: Pakistan has begun work on a 'National Agri Stack' to build digital infrastructure for its agriculture sector, aiming to boost farmer access to credit, subsidies and markets, the ministry of IT said on Friday. Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan's economy, employing more than a third of the workforce and contributing around a fifth of gross domestic product. The sector faces persistent challenges, however, including low productivity, fragmented landholdings, water scarcity and climate shocks, while farmers often lack formal identification and credit histories needed to access finance. The Agri Stack initiative, led by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR), the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), seeks to integrate land and farmer data, deliver targeted services and improve transparency in farm support. In simple terms, the Agri Stack will create a 'digital ID and online service hub' for every farmer in Pakistan. It will gather all key information — who the farmer is, what land they own or work on, what crops they grow — into one secure system. This means the government, banks and agri companies can deliver the right help directly to the right farmer, including subsidies, loans, crop insurance, weather updates and market prices. The system is meant to cut out paperwork, reduce delays, stop resources from going to the wrong people and give farmers better tools to grow and sell their crops. 'The Agri Stack will enable verified farmer identities, land data integration, precision advisory, and efficient delivery of services like subsidies, crop insurance, and credit,' said Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja at a stakeholder consultation in Islamabad, according to a statement from the IT ministry. 'This is the architecture for an inclusive and tech-driven agricultural transformation under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Digital Nation Pakistan, in collaboration with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).' LIMS Director General Maj Gen (R) M Ayub Ahsan Bhatti said the platform, also called PAKGROW, would 'innovate the agricultural arena of Pakistan by transforming and improving the lives of small farmers and convening policymaking.' The consultation endorsed forming a steering committee co-chaired by MoITT and MNFSR, a technical working group on data and cybersecurity, and pilot projects over the next 12–18 months. Priority areas include smart input subsidies, weather-indexed crop insurance, credit access through alternative data, and market linkages via LIMS. Officials said the Agri Stack would combine satellite-driven crop intelligence, digital IDs, trusted payment systems and market platforms to create a 'digitally empowered agricultural future.' If implemented effectively, experts say a national Agri Stack could help Pakistan tackle some of its most entrenched agricultural challenges by giving farmers verified digital identities, streamlining subsidy and credit delivery, and providing timely, data-driven advice on crop management. Integrating land records, satellite imagery, and market information into a single digital platform could reduce leakages in government support programs, expand financial inclusion for smallholders, improve resilience against climate shocks and connect rural producers more directly to buyers. This would ultimately boost productivity, transparency and rural incomes in a sector that underpins both the economy and national food security.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM seeks roadmap for $30bn IT export target
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Information Technology to prepare a comprehensive roadmap with annual benchmarks and actionable strategies to surpass the $30 billion IT exports target in coming years. This directive from the prime minister came in the wake of the Ministry of IT, headed by Shaza Fatima Khawaja, not only meeting but surpassing its export target of $3.8 billion in the previous fiscal year. Chairing a high-level meeting on the initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology and the National Information Technology Board (NITB), Sharif said digitization remained a key government priority to stimulate economic growth and align the national economy with modern global standards. PM Shehbaz orders roadmap to boost Pakistan's IT exports to $30bn 'A complete digital ecosystem and supporting infrastructure is being developed to raise IT exports to $30 billion,' he added. The prime minister stated that a comprehensive digital ecosystem, along with its supporting infrastructure, is being developed to boost IT exports to $30 billion. He emphasised that alignment with international standards is crucial to maintaining sustained economic growth. Sharif also ordered a thorough restructuring of the NITB, recommending the recruitment of leading professionals from the private sector to strengthen the institution. Officials briefed the prime minister about key achievements in the IT sector. According to officials, IT exports grew by 19 percent in the 2025 fiscal year, while the number of freelancers in the country increased by 91 percent. Under the National Incubation Center, 386 startups received support, with 14 reaching international markets. Additionally, 40 e-Rozgaar (employment) centres were established across 26 cities to facilitate employment in the digital economy. Four Pakistani teams ranked among the top 50 at the Black Hat MEA cybersecurity event. Investment agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth $700 million were signed during the year. The meeting was informed that approximately 315,000 students received IT training, including 115,000 women. Furthermore, 130 women-led startups were supported, and specialised training centres for women were established nationwide. Cybersecurity training was provided to 2,200 federal officers and 3,000 students. In terms of governance reforms, the implementation of the e-Office system has reached 98 percent of federal departments. Tax collection through the Pak-App totalled Rs6.2 billion. Fifty-one new systems have been introduced to improve efficiency and service delivery. The telecom sector also saw significant growth, with 580,000 new users gaining access to 4G services in the past year. Total telecom connections have now surpassed 200 million and internet usage increased by 24 percent. NITB officials reported that the board's restructuring is nearing completion. It currently manages more than 179 websites, 31 mobile applications, 113 portals, and 57 consultancy projects. The restructuring plan includes improvements in user experience, infrastructure modernisation, service delivery, cybersecurity, research and innovation, and workforce development. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Cheema and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Development of first indigenous Large Language Model: Senate body questions selection process of partners
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has raised serious concerns over the Ministry of IT's collaboration with telecom giant Jazz and NUST University on the development of Pakistan's first indigenous Large Language Model (LLM), questioning the transparency and selection process of project partners. Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan and members called for greater inclusivity and competitive bidding in national tech initiatives, stressing that such opportunities should be publicly advertised. During the committee's meeting at Parliament House, chaired by Senator Palwasha, the Ministry of IT disclosed that Jazz and NUST were not officially selected but had independently initiated the LLM project without any public funding. Senator Dr Mohammad Humayun Mohmand and other members voiced their dissatisfaction, questioning why other capable institutions and telecom operators were not invited to participate. The IT secretary stated that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) exists between the ministry and Jazz, but confirmed that no formal tender or public announcement was made. In response to these concerns, he acknowledged the need for open invitations and assured that other universities are now being encouraged to express interest in contributing to the AI ecosystem. Jazz representatives highlighted that the LLM project is aimed at preserving Pakistan's native languages, which face the threat of extinction. They cited data collection as a major hurdle and mentioned ongoing meetings with various ministries to support the initiative. The meeting also focused on the broader regulatory landscape for AI in Pakistan, with detailed discussion on the "Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024," introduced by Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan. The bill aims to create an ethical and legal framework for AI use and innovation. The committee emphasised the urgency of regulating AI technologies in light of rapid global developments. The ministry briefed the committee on the establishment of an Emerging Technology Wing focused on four key areas: Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and quantum technologies. It was revealed that Rs16 billion has been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024–25 to fund these innovations. In a separate briefing, the director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) updated the committee on operations against illegal call centres. A total of 54 centres were raided, resulting in 254 arrests, with the majority of cases traced to Islamabad. These centres employed advanced tactics, including fake social media profiles and cryptocurrency laundering, to defraud victims. Committee members called for stronger legal mechanisms to combat cybercrime and reiterated the importance of equitable funding and inclusive participation in national AI and tech development projects. Senator Palwasha concluded the session by reaffirming the committee's commitment to accountability, digital security, and technological advancement driven by merit and fairness. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Cabinet approves Hajj policy 2026: govt-private quota set at 70:30
The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Wednesday approved the Hajj Policy 2026 with a focus on full digitization of Hajj operations and enhanced pilgrim facilitation. As per the new policy, Pakistan's total Hajj quota for 2026 will be distributed with 70% allocated to the government scheme and 30% to private Hajj operators, officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs informed the cabinet. The prime minister lauded the digitization efforts, saying that ensuring seamless services for pilgrims remained a top priority. He directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to strictly implement the policy and ensure transparency and convenience for all intending pilgrims. Umrah or Hajj: Govt seeks CII's guidance on 'Mehram requirement' for female pilgrims Key features of the Hajj policy 2026 include: Full digitization of the Hajj process with real-time monitoring of applications, payments, and services. Third-party validation of both public and private Hajj operations. Minimum quota of 2,000 pilgrims per private operator to ensure accountability. 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases. Accommodation, meals, SIM cards, digital wristbands, and emergency compensation for all pilgrims. Upgrade of the Pak Hajj mobile application for training, complaints, and payment tracking. It was also disclosed that private companies responsible for mishandling Hajj 2025 arrangements will be required to accommodate affected pilgrims in 2026. The cabinet unanimously approved the policy and appreciated the efforts of relevant ministries and officials involved in its formulation. The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of IT to support the Ministry of Religious Affairs in ensuring complete digitization of Hajj operations
Business Recorder
26-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Digital sectors: Minister, Chinese envoy vow to deepen cooperation
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Ministry of IT, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in key digital sectors. The discussion covered smart city projects, Artificial Intelligence (AI) programmes, and broader technical collaboration, marking a renewed pledge by both nations to implement inclusive, mutually beneficial initiatives in the emerging tech space. Ambassador Jiang assured China's continued support for Pakistan's digital transformation through hands-on collaboration and knowledge exchange. Meanwhile, Minister Khawaja is currently representing Pakistan at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where she is leading the country's delegation and promoting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's 'Digital Nation Pakistan' vision. Her presence at the global forum reflects Pakistan's ambition to position itself as a regional leader in AI and innovation. On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Khawaja also held a bilateral meeting with Nepal's Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung. The two leaders discussed strengthening digital cooperation in South Asia, focusing on emerging technologies, regional connectivity, and digital capacity-building. Both ministers expressed commitment to establishing a sustainable and integrated digital ecosystem across the region. Earlier this week in Islamabad, Minister Khawaja also welcomed a delegation from Arizona State University and Pakistan's National Institute of Technology (NIT). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
