FPCCI & PSEB Consultative Process Apex Body Demands Software Technology Park (STP) for Karachi

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has demanded that Karachi needs
Software Technology Park (STP) to help create enabling environment for the export of
IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS). It is a longstanding demand of the city as it grapples
with infrastructural challenges to materliaze its potential in IT exports and attract
investments into the industry on a large-scale, he added.

It is pertinent to note that Mr. Abu Bakar, CEO of Pakistan Software Export Board
(PSEB), visited FPCCI Head Office in Karachi to discuss facilitation of business,
industry and trade community to invest in IT companies to boost country’s exports.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh reiterated FPCCI’s stance that Pakistan needs to diversify and
expand its exports basket; and, IT is the industry which can deliver the results for the
country in the shortest possible time as it has the most efficient turnaround time.
Additionally, IT industry is the only industry in Pakistan with a potential to achieve
exponential growth in its exports.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, apprised that FPCCI and Sindh Higher
Education Commission (SHEC) have joined hands to organize first-of-its kind
technology start-ups showcase to generate investments for the viable start-ups; and,
promote them on a national and international scale. We are also going to have full
support of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and PSEB in this regard,
he added.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon stressed that FPCCI and IT industry should aggregate their
budget proposals and policy advocacy efforts to introduce transformational and
change-making policy reforms vis-à-vis IT industry in a macroeconomic framework
through federal budget 2025 – 26.

Mr. Aman Paracha, VP FPCCI, proposed that PSEB should come forward with a
tangible plan to give awareness to traditional business groups of Pakistan to diversify
into IT industry. We are willing to venture into IT industry in order to diversify out of our
customary businesses; nevertheless, there should be governmental support in terms of
facilitative policy framework, clarity and consistency in policies.

Mr. Zohaib Khan, former Chairman P@SHA and senior member FPCCI, proposed an
alliance between IT-related central standing committees of FPCCI as well as business
councils and PSEB. We need to have a joint working group of PSEB and FPCCI with
objectives: (i) to act as a matchmaking platform between IT industry and business
community for investment and collaboration (ii) exploring untapped avenues in
important export markets like U.S., Europe, GCC and beyond (iii) recommend swift visa
issuance to embassies for the genuine IT exporters, service providers, exhibitors and
professionals from Pakistan (iv) create awareness on STPs and special technology
zones (STZs).

Mr. Abu Bakar, CEO of PSEB, agreed with FPCCI’s principled demand to establish
Software Technology Park in Karachi with subsidized services to tenant IT companies.
We are working aggressively to establish a large STP in Karachi to match its enormous,
young, skilled and motivated workforce, he added.

CEO PSEB highlighted that IT companies internationally are owned by big business and
corporate groups – a phenomenon amiss in Pakistan – as it enables rapid provision of
funds and expansion of these companies. We need to bring in private-sector, domestic
investment into the IT industry of Pakistan, he added.