*PM Imran launches ‘Digital Pakistan’ initiative
International studies revealed that the digital world is increasingly penetrating the education and skills domain, with technology gradually being used to deliver education, knowledge and skills in new and innovative ways. This penetration is coupled with future changes to the mode and pattern of work, which are themselves affected by the current climate of economic uncertainty, as well as by political shifts. Furthermore, the use of these technologies has contributed to transforming learning and skills development into a lifelong process. Indeed, people now have to continue to develop and refresh their skills and knowledge in order to keep abreast with the constant innovations and new developments in the digital world. It is estimated that technology skills have to be updated every three years in order to have continued relevance. This applies to the workforce in general, where emphasis is placed not so much on knowing the information, but, rather, on how to find it, and the ability to assess its quality and reliability. Digital technologies have permeated more than just the workplace, however, and possessing digital skills is often necessary for day-to-day activities, such as booking a doctor’s appointment or personal banking.
Prime Minister Imran Khan presently launched ‘Digital Pakistan’, a government’s initiative aimed at introducing latest technology for public welfare. Addressing the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad, Imran Khan said the campaign will unleash the youth’s potential in Pakistan. E-governance is necessary to curb corruption, which is rampant in Pakistan at all levels, and this initiative will ease the lives of the citizens, he said. Our government will put all out efforts to promote Digital Pakistan. The future of Pakistan is very exciting.
Prime Minister also added, Developments [in the digital arena] are taking place at a fast pace, and in the times to come everything would be done through a mobile phone. The vision sets Pakistan’s digital ambition and has been designed both for the government of Pakistan and the private sector to work towards a digitally progressive and inclusive Pakistan.
According to a statement, it brings together multiple initiatives that the government has already kicked off, and identifies extra focus areas that it will initiate in the coming months.
Its strategic pillars are access and connectivity, digital infrastructure, digital skill and literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship.
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These pillars, the communique added, supported by a forward-looking policy and a broader legal framework, will set us on the path to becoming a truly Digital Pakistan.
- Access and Connectivity to ensure every Pakistani has access to internet – a fundamental right – to make available universally and particularly to underserved populations.
- Digital Infrastructure that creates the ability to undertake daily tasks using smartphones in a secure and faster manner.
- E-government that digitizes intra-government operations and processes towards a paperless and efficient environment, and also digitizes government services for citizens and businesses for better delivery.
- Digital Skills and Literacy that enables tech graduates to secure relevant jobs
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship to provide an enabling environment for startups to flourish
Tania Aidrus, a Pakistani working as a senior executive at Google, quit her position in Singapore to head the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government’s initiative.
On the other hand experts of Pakistan urged that in today’s era of mobility, there is no other way but to re-invent. Developing relevant skills from a young age has become a necessity, as youth navigate an increasingly technological world. It was essential that learners are up skilled, with access to quality education that provides youth not only with the technical and vocational but also core employability skills, necessary for them to become a functional part of a thriving digital economy.