TOPICS

• SOCIAL ISSUES
• SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• IT SECTOR
Social Issues
 Poverty
According to the report, nearly 39 percent of Pakistanis
live in multidimensional poverty, with the highest
rates of poverty in FATA and Balochistan although by
the grace of Allah Pakistan's MPI showed a strong
decline, with national poverty rates falling from 55%
to 39% from 2004 to 2015 but there is still room for
improvement Consider that if 39%of a country’s
population is earning their life below the poverty-line
in which the people are deprived of basic necessities
of life.

Reference: https:// pk.undp.org

 Illiteracy
Literacy rate is very low in Pakistan as compared to
other countries. Pakistan’s literacy rate has declined
from 60 percent to 58 percent, as revealed by the
economic survey of Pakistan. Multiple factors act as
the reasons behind this, for instance, lack of
government funds to educational
institutions.

Reference: https:// nation.com.pk

 Energy Crisis
Pakistan is in the midst of one of the worst energy
crises in its history. This is both slowing the pace of
economic activity and causing public unrest with
prolonged outages of electricity and gas.
Pakistan's government paid Rs260 billion in cash to
independent power plants (IPPs) to clear outstanding
debt.

Reference: https://thediplomat.com /
 Corruption
Corruption in Pakistan is widespread, particularly in the
government and lower levels of police
forces. Transparency International's 2017 Corruption
Perception Index ranks the country 117th place out of
180 countries Pakistan saw a significant improvement
in its statistics in 2013 when its ranking improved by
12 indices compared to its previous rankings

Reference: https://Wikipedia.com
 Terrorism
Terrorism in Pakistan has become a major and highly
destructive phenomenon in recent years. The
whole world looks at Pakistan ,as a land of
terrorists. Main reason being an exploitation
through the religious leaders and reaction of the
military operations both internally as well as
externally.

Reference: https://CSSforum.com/
 Overpopulation, Inflation,
Unemployment
According to official news Pakistani has an estimated
2% growth rate which for a country of official
population of 193.2 Million turns out to be roughly
around3.2 Million every year.

Given that about 39% of the population is already

living under poverty line and 5.6% (official figures) of
the population is unemployed.

Reference: https://CSSforum.com/
 Economy Crisis
The rupee marked its second major devaluation in a few
months. This 5% devaluation will undoubtedly
increase the cost of living for the common man. The
cost of petrol, diesel, LNG, cooking oil, electricity, cost
of transportation, imported fertilizer and seed, and
almost all other commodities and items used in our
everyday lives are now going to move up. None are
immune from it, only a few could have prevented it,
but that was either not their intent, or was beyond
their intellect.

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/
 Health Issues
Pakistan is facing a health crisis with rising rates of heart disease,
diabetes, obesity, and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs),
which disproportionately affect poor families, with possible side
effects of disability and premature death, and worsening poverty as
people pay for medical treatment out of their own pockets.

the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 4 million cases of

diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and skin conditions that had largely
resulted from the flood conditions. Cholera outbreaks have also
been reported from flood-affected areas. From Oct. 15 to 22, WHO
reported about 258,000 consultations for pneumonia, diarrhea, and
suspected malaria. Furthermore, dreaded diseases such as dengue
and Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fevers have been reported from
the field, along with measles encephalitis and neonatal tetanus.

Reference: https://CSSforum.com/
Science & Technology
(IT SECTOR)
 Pakistan is a country that has been dragged
through the mud for centuries, popularized as a
third world country that cannot possibly escape the
clutches of educational, scientific and technological
backwardness. However, the people of Pakistan
have proved points on the contrary. Pakistani
scientists have left the world awe-struck by their
famous contributions in the disciplines of physics,
mathematics, biology, chemistry and engineering.
Science and technology is a growing
field in Pakistan and has played an
important role in the country's
development since its founding. Pakistan
has a large pool of scientists, engineers,
doctors, and technicians assuming an
active role in science and technology.
 Inventions and
Advancement in
technology
Proud For Pakistan !!!
 There are a lots of
invention made by
Pakistani but here we will
discuss few of the most
famous inventions by
Pakistani scientists
Dr. Abdus Salam
The Discovery of Electro-weak Unification
Abdus Salam, Nobel Prize winning Pakistani theoretical
physicist, has marked his milestone in the branch Physics by
discovering for the first time in history, the science of electro-
weak unification. He also served as the top level science and
technology advisor to the government of Pakistan from 1960-
1974, and he contributed greatly to the development of
scientific infrastructure in Pakistan.
Dr Samir Iqbal
The Discovery of a Cancer Cell Detection Method
Dr Samir Iqbal discovered an unorthodox method of
cancer cell detection. The method incorporates the
use of nano-textured walls that imitate different
layers of the body tissues and thus an early diagnosis
is made possible in due time.
Prof Sohail Khan
The Invention of a Lavatory that Converts Human Waste into
Fuel
A team working under the leadership of Pakistani Professor Sohail
Khan at Loughborough University has invented a special lavatory
that converts human waste into biological charcoal and minerals.
These substances can then be used as fuel. In a country running
short of fuels like Pakistan itself, natives inventing such exquisite
objects does indeed make us Pakistanis proud.
Dr Naweed Syed
The First Ever Connection Of Brain Cells to a Silicon Chip
Dr.Naweed Syed, is a renowned Pakistani scientist who was
the first ever to connect brain cells to a silicon chip. Dr.Syed
thus has led the world to the next level of artificial
intelligence computing.
Amjad
and
Basit Farooq Alvi
The Invention of the World’s First Computer Virus
Amjad and Basit Farooq Alvi, two Pakistani brothers and passionate
computer engineers, were the master minds behind the world’s first
computer virus in 1986. The Alvi brothers who worked in their
technology start-up, Brain and Telecom invented the first ever computer
virus for MS-DOS operating systems. The virus infected the storage
media’s boot sector which was formatted by the DOS File Allocation
Table file system. The virus was also used to keep track of and prevent
any illegal copying of their disk.
Zeeshan-ul-
Hassan Usmani
The Invention of Life Saving Software Simulation
Pakistani computer engineer, Zeeshan-ul-Hassan Usmani,
invented a life-saving software simulation based completely
on blast forensics has the potential to decrease deaths by
12%, and injuries can be expected to reduce by 7%. The
software interprets and suggests how the consequences of a
suicide bombing could be different if the people in the
periphery of the suicide bomber were arranged differently.
Abdullah Somroo
The Invention of Flash pack
Flash pack is a power bank which enables 100% charging in
just 14 minutes was invented by Abdullah Somroo.
 Some other
achievements in
recent years
 The national space agency, SUPARCO, had already developed the Pakistan
Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) which had been launched on 9/July/2018
from China.

In 2013, the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad (IST) developed a

cubeset named iCube-I which was launched from Russia. iCube-II is already
in the prototyping stage and will be larger and more advanced.

In the missile domain, Pakistan recently shocked all detractors by

successfully flight testing a submarine-launched cruise missile (Babur-III) and
an MIRV capable surface to surface ballistic missile (Ababeel)

Pakistani companies also revealed advanced laser and IR sights (Shibli

Electronics), armored vehicles, UAVs and a unique optionally piloted vehicle
(the Integrated Dynamics Arrow OPV)

In 2016, Pakistani scientists from the Lahore University of Management

Sciences, the University of Management and Technology and the National
Electronics Complex jointly developed and patented an advanced ECCM
system
Reference: https://www.quora.com/Which-country-has-more-technology-Pakistan-or-India
Pakistan IT Sector
 • Pakistan’s IT industry is growing at a fast pace
across different categories. Enterprise software has
grown by 17%, marketing tech 15%, financial
services 13%, consumer goods 9%, retail/e-
commerce 8%, professional services 8%, internet of
things/hardware 7%, health care 4%, media 4% and
non-profit 3%.

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1636142/2-pakistans-sector-advancing-rapidly-exports-jump-5b/
 • Recent survey commented that IT and Telecom
sectors are expanding and generating new jobs as
businesses utilize modern ICT technologies such as
e-commerce, e-banking, e-health, e-education, and
IT applications.
• According to the survey, broadband penetration has
jumped from 3.7 million to 40.7 million over the
period of few years mainly on the arrival of 3G/4G
technology.

Reference: https://propakistani.pk/2017/05/29/pakistans-sector-reports-record-revenue-growth/
 Minister of State for Information Technology ”Anusha Rehman” while
chairing the 38th meeting of the Board of Directors of Pakistan Software
Export Board (PSEB) stated:

“Pakistan’s growth rate of IT exports have jumped 150% over

the last five years.”

Reference: https://propakistani.pk/2018/04/06/pakistans-it-sector-has-grown-by-150-in-5-years-anusha-
 Yusuf Hussain, who leads Ignite, formerly known as the National ICT R&D
Fund, said
“The country’s IT industry is set to double by 2020, said the
CEO of Pakistan’s national technology fund, increasing from
the current worth of $3.5 billion to $7 billion”

Date: December 18, 2017

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1586541/2-pakistans-industry-set-double-2020-ignite-ceo/
 Co-Founder of 10XC, a technology start-up accelerator and seed fund,
Saif Akhtar said :
“During 2016-17, Pakistan’s IT exports were $3.3 billion, which
have jumped to $5 billion and are expected to grow to $6
billion next year
(2019),”
Date: February 16, 2018

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1636142/2-pakistans-sector-advancing-rapidly-exports-jump-5b/
Reference: http://techies.pk/articles/sizing-pakistan-it-industry-exports-domestic-spend/
Government’s
Incentives for IT
Sector
 The Government realizes that it has an important role in
providing a conducive environment for the growth of the IT
industry through infrastructure and HR development.

The government has laid down its vision for the IT sector and proposed
the following steps to aid in its growth:

• income tax exemption on IT exports till June 2019,

• 100% foreign ownership,
• 100% repatriation of capital and dividends,
• 3-year tax exemption for IT startups,
• tax holiday for venture capital funds till June 2024.

Reference: https://propakistani.pk/2017/05/29/pakistans-sector-reports-record-revenue-growth/
 Pakistan has more than 2000 software houses. Pakistan’s IT
exports have grown by more than 11 times over the last
decade, growing to about 30 to 40 percent every year.

Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) with Ministry of IT and

Telecommunication Pakistan has recently awarded PSEB IT
Awards to the top 10 IT exporting companies in recognition of
their exceptional services in providing IT solutions worldwide.

Reference: https://www.techjuice.pk/top-10-it-companies-of-pakistan-with-highest-exports-in-2016/
 Pakistan’s toP 10 award wining it comPanies

Reference: https://www.techjuice.pk/top-10-it-companies-of-pakistan-with-highest-exports-in-2016/
Freelancing 
 Pakistan is ranked as the 4th most popular country for
freelancing in the Online Labor Index published in 2017 by
Oxford Internet Institute (OII) and is consistently ranked among
the top destinations for Internet Communications and
Technology (ICT) outsourcing as a result of the exponential
growth of the IT sector. Pakistan has got the fourth position
globally in the category of Software Development and
Technology.

Reference: https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/06/26/pakistan-4th-most-popular-country-for-freelancing-
 Pakistan is home to 9% of total freelancers.
the country’s freelancers also earn $1.2 billion in
exports, an amount not recorded by the central bank as they are
not registered.

Reference: https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/06/26/pakistan-4th-most-popular-country-for-freelancing-
Reference: https://blog.payoneer.com/freelancers/industry-tips-fl/6-countries-capitals-freelancing/
Good Steps By
Government
 ​The Higher Education Commission aims "to facilitate institutions of higher
learning to serve as engines for socio-economic development of Pakistan" as
stated in the mission. Along these lines, Higher Education Commission (HEC)
of Pakistan took an initiative to finance proposals of completed
interdisciplinary applied research projects for prototype development and
industrial value addition for technology development. In this way, HEC
envisages to help the productive minds of Pakistan to impact economy
through new and emerging technologies.
The proposals shall be submitted by PhD scholars who have completed their
PhD and​ have a ready research in the following specified areas;

• Telecommunication, Information and Technology/Computers (applications in

Govt. services, health, textile, agriculture & dairy etc.)
• Engineering Sciences, Micro Electronics, Water, Power, Energy and Fleet
Management
• Biotechnology and Allied fields (in Health, Agriculture, Textile, Leather &
Dairy etc.)
• Material Sciences/Man Made Material (Nanotechnology)
• Robotics, Defense and Military needs
• Any other applied discipline which is inductive or conducive to success of
products developed or upscale the process of Industrial level manufacturing.

Reference: http://hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/TDF/Pages/Intro.aspx
 Govt. Allocates Rs 1.1 Billion for Artificial Intelligence
Projects in 6 Universities
Six public-sector universities were selected to structure nine-labs for
the research on AI.
• NUST, Islamabad
• Cosmats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) University
• NED UET Karachi
• UET Peshawar
• UET Lahore
• University of Punjab Lahore
Where NUST has been appointed as the headquarters of this project.
• NUST will set up two labs, Intelligent Robotics Lab and Deep Learning Lab.
• CIIT would set up a Medical Imaging Diagnostic Lab
• NED UET Karachi would set up two labs; Smart City Lab, Neuro-Computation
Lab
• UET Lahore would set up Intelligent Criminology Lab
• Punjab University would setup Agent Based Computational Modeling Lab.

Reference : https://propakistani.pk/2018/04/23/govt-allocates-rs-1-1-billion-for-artificial-intelligence-
 National Incubation Centers (NICs) are also being
established in order to provide opportunities to young
entrepreneurs and talented youth of Pakistan, and to
equip the local Pakistani IT industry with infrastructure,
mentorship and all other facilities.
The National Incubation Center (NIC) is a first of its kind
technology hub, launched under the public – private
partnership of Ministry of IT & Telecom, Ignite Fund,
Jazz & Team up.

Reference: https://http://nicpakistan.pk/
 • Pakistan has started the preparations to test 5G cellular
connectivity and it is expected to be launch
this 5G technology by 2020
• IT Parks has been introduced for the first time by
Government in collaboration with CPEC
• MOST has established IT industrial park in Sindh
• MoITT Placed in Top Five Nominations for ‘Equals in Tech
2017’ Awards
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization gave 5
awards to Pakistani innovators in the field of clean
technologies.

Reference: https://www.phoneworld.com.pk/pakistans-big-ict-achievements-of-2017/
Comparison between
Pakistan and its
neighbor
 - Pakistan is trying to make its place in the global setup. Perhaps, this
is the reason why the country’s freelancers offer rates 30% to 50%
less than the ones offered in India.
- India’s IT market size is $150 billion while Pakistan’s is just $3.5
billion
- India has 6 big IT companies and every company has at least a
$10-billion revenue a year.
- Google, IBM and Microsoft have their local office in India,
promoting the country’s industry through research and
development.
- While the world invests billions of dollars every year in Artificial
Intelligence, Pakistan is left behind as its investment in this field
only amounts to $3.3 million. In comparison, India spent $480
million and China has leveled up in this field by expanding its
investment to billions of dollars.
- Samsung is opening up the world's largest smart phone factory in
India

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1586541/2-pakistans-industry-set-double-2020-ignite-ceo/
 - India IT sector is biggest in the world with 56% of the global IT
jobs are in India .Pakistan doesn't have a big IT sector
- India has good local smart phone companies and Pakistan
does not have such companies
- India and Bangladesh acquire First and Second position in the
global freelance market
- India is going to use AI in order to reduce preessure at the
border

Reference: https://www.quora.com/Which-country-has-more-technology-Pakistan-or-India
 Reasons
( why IT sector has been
held back )
 • Pakistani businessmen love to invest in real estate and gold
• students do not graduate with the necessary skill set to fit
into the industry. They takes at least one year to fit into the
industry
• Pakistan’s growth in the sector has been held back by
security issues since terrorism hits IT exports more
negatively than it does other tangible exports. Companies,
which outsource services, have to keep relations for longer
term and security concerns tend to play on their minds. They
don’t like taking risks – especially when they’re associated
with security concerns.

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1586541/2-pakistans-industry-set-double-2020-ignite-ceo/
 • People fear that automation and artificial intelligence will
eat up human jobs, there will be new jobs but they will
require more creativeness and innovation. The next wave of
jobs will be in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and it
will need people in areas such as robotics, artificial
intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, quantum computing,
biotechnology, The Internet of Things (IOT), 3D printing and
autonomous vehicles.
• Pakistan has only 14 technology parks and more IT parks
need to be established countrywide.
• There is a lack of legal framework for e-Commerce and e-
Payment system. In order to prevent potential abuse online
and to promote trust between service providers and users

Reference: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1586541/2-pakistans-industry-set-double-2020-ignite-ceo/
 Suggestion for the
betterment of IT sector
 - In order to prevent potential abuse online and to promote
trust between service providers and users, a framework with
legal provisions in finance and banking system needs to be
developed.
- The government should invest more in
technology incubators and promote startups. Measures
should be taken to attract international investors.
- Information Technology subjects need to be introduced in
the curriculum. People should be made aware of IT
importance in businesses.
- Research and Development have been low priority areas in
Pakistan, in both public and private sectors. There is a lack of
innovation in these areas and measures need to be taken to
strengthen R&D

Reference: https://www.techjuice.pk/challenges-faced-by-it-sector-of-pakistan/
The Government realizes that it has an important role
in providing a conducive environment for the
growth of the IT industry and therefore it has
started to take steps
(discussed in previous slides)
Thank You