Latest news with #ShazaFatima
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan-Japan Human Resources Stakeholders meeting held
ISLAMABAD: Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan, hosted the 'Pakistan-Japan Human Resources Stakeholders Meeting' at the Ambassador's Residence in Islamabad. The high-level gathering brought together approximately 70 key stakeholders actively engaged in developing and facilitating Pakistani human resources for employment opportunities in Japan. The event witnessed the presence of distinguished figures including Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development; Shaza Fatima, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications; Mohammad Aaun Saqlain, Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and representatives from leading Japanese and Pakistani organisations. Participants included representatives from PlusW, Proud Partners, Japan Pakistan Innovation Institute (JPII) and Japan Station. Also, representatives from key institutions such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) were present. The forum centered on the growing demands for skilled Pakistani labour in Japan and explored strategies to build stronger linkages that enable the smooth deployment of qualified professionals across multiple sectors, including IT, healthcare, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Ambassador Akamatsu, in his welcome remarks, stated: 'I am confident that the success of Pakistani professionals in Japan is becoming one of the key pillars of the bilateral relations. Both Japanese and Pakistani embassies remains committed to making contributions in this area. The evaluation of Pakistani talents in Japan is becoming higher and higher. Therefore, I expect that the demands for skilled Pakistani professionals will be expanding in the future. Japan seeks high-quality human resources, and by engaging with Japan, young Pakistani talents will contribute significantly to strengthening the Japan-Pakistan relations. For Pakistan, remittances are one of the major economic pillars, and the skills and knowledge Pakistani workers acquire in Japan will help to foster industrial development after returning to their home country. Please allow me to touch upon the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which has opened as of 13th of April until 13th of October, half a year. More than 160 countries participate in this Expo. Among them, Pakistan Pavilion, which is consist of pink salts, is so popular among the visitors.' Minister Salik Hussain emphasised the need for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Japan to help Pakistani professionals access opportunities in the Japanese corporate sector. He commended the partnership between the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) and PlusW, noting that its recent expansion under the Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) program now covers sectors beyond IT, including healthcare, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Minister Shaza Fatima highlighted the success of Pakistani IT companies at Japan IT Week in Tokyo (April 2025), where 15 companies secured contracts exceeding $600,000. She called for more roadshows to showcase Pakistani tech talent in Japan and urged the development of a demand-supply matching platform to better align Pakistan's workforce development with Japan's needs. She also advocated for the inclusion of IT and telecommunication fields in Japan's Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) programme. Speakers from JICA, JETRO, PlusW (celebrating its 5th anniversary), Pakistani university student (with fluent Japanese and English) and OEC Pakistan also shared updates on their respective initiatives to expand workforce collaboration and strengthen the people-to-people ties. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of mutual commitment to promoting sustainable, long-term collaboration among stakeholders of Japan and Pakistan through human capital development and cross-border workforce mobility. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt unveils major tech initiatives with new IT parks, digital reforms
Listen to article The federal government has announced a wide-ranging plan to boost its technology sector through major infrastructure projects, digital services, and foreign investment drives. Speaking at the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit on Wednesday, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima said that the country is preparing to launch several initiatives aimed at modernising its digital landscape and aligning with fast-evolving global technology trends. Among the key projects is the opening of Pakistan's first dedicated IT park in Islamabad, set for inauguration on August 14 this year, followed by a similar park in Karachi. The parks aim to provide purpose-built spaces for tech startups, freelancers, and export-oriented software firms. The minister also unveiled plans for a pilot Smart Islamabad project and a new 'super app' for the capital, designed to integrate public services and improve urban management through digital platforms. Fatima highlighted that business registration procedures in Islamabad will be moved entirely online in the coming months, enabling entrepreneurs to access all required permits and services digitally. She cited similar successful models in international cities like Shenzhen, China. In a move to attract foreign investors, Pakistan will host a Digital Foreign Investment Summit on April 28-29, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia. The event aims to promote investment opportunities in Pakistan's growing digital economy. Additionally, the government is developing 250 employment centres nationwide and converting vacant buildings into IT parks, creating new job opportunities and supporting the tech sector's infrastructure. Fatima stated that every dollar spent on marketing Pakistan's tech sector yields around $49 in returns, underlining the economic potential of the industry. The government has set an ambitious target of $25 billion in IT exports in the coming years. She emphasised the importance of embracing technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, warning that failure to adapt could isolate Pakistan from global progress. 'The world is moving fast. If we don't keep up, we risk being left behind,' Fatima said.
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Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IT minister confirms Starlink internet launch timeline in Pakistan
Listen to article Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima, said that SpaceX's Starlink internet services are expected to become operational in Pakistan by November or December this year. The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by MNA Aminul Haque. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on the licensing process for Starlink. PTA Chairman confirmed that Starlink has been granted a temporary licence by the Space Board, adding that a full operational licence would be issued once regulatory frameworks are finalised. 'There are no issues with the licensing process,' Minister Shaza Fatima stated, clarifying that satellite internet is a new technology and various aspects needed to be evaluated thoroughly. 'A consultant has been hired to finalise the regulations. Once done, Starlink will have to reapply,' she added. The minister also revealed that a Chinese company had submitted a similar application for providing satellite internet services in Pakistan. 'Shanghai Spacecom is also in the queue. We want to open the space internet sector to multiple players to ensure competition,' she said. The minister confirmed that infrastructure installation is underway and Starlink services are expected to launch in the last quarter of 2025.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, KSA to boost digital, AI collaboration
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen digital investment and technology partnerships, aiming to facilitate Pakistani startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing the Saudi market. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan's Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Saudi Deputy Investment Minister, Ibrahim Almubarak, on the sidelines of LEAP 2025, said a statement. The LEAP 2025 being held in Saudia Arabia Riyadh from February 9 to 12 witnessed a large gathering of Pakistani and Saudi business leaders, government officials, and technology experts. Discussions between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia focused on fostering business-to-business (B2B) collaborations, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and fintech sectors. Shaza Fatima reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to developing an investor-friendly digital ecosystem to attract global stakeholders. Saudi Arabia, in turn, expressed confidence in Pakistan's skilled workforce and technological advancements, highlighting the potential for cross-border venture capital investments to create global opportunities for Pakistani startups. The two sides also explored ways to simplify licensing and registration processes for Pakistani companies entering the Saudi market. Both leaders agreed to enhance joint research and development (R&D) initiatives and digitize the degree attestation process for Pakistani professionals seeking opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Shaza Fatima said that strong digital economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would play a crucial role in driving regional growth and innovation. She stressed the need for ethical AI governance, data security, and digital inclusivity. The panel, titled "Shaping the Future of Ethical AI: Multilateral Perspectives on Governance and Risk Management," was hosted by Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), and gathered global leaders to discuss responsible AI implementation. During the discussion, Shaza Fatima highlighted the transformative impact of AI, urging multilateral cooperation and strong regulatory frameworks to ensure AI benefits all segments of society. She stressed the importance of data privacy, security, and fairness in AI systems, calling for global collaboration to establish responsible AI governance models that prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to digital opportunities.
