|
P@SHA PULSE Vol 19. May 2024 Edition
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Members,
In May 2024, P@SHA organized several key events and collaborations that significantly advanced Pakistan's IT sector. Notable events included the HBL P@SHA CXO Meetup, the UAE-Pakistan Tech Collaboration in Abu Dhabi, and the Dublin Tech Summit. P@SHA also engaged in crucial government relations activities, providing budget recommendations and participating in the National E-Commerce Council and the Digital FDI Enabling Project. Collaborative efforts with NADRA, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and PwC Turkiye were also highlighted.
Additionally, P@SHA's Skills Development Team held productive meetings with various stakeholders to enhance training initiatives. The release of the 2023-24 Salary Survey and two whitepapers underscored P@SHA's commitment to research and industry insights.
Looking ahead, P@SHA is excited to participate in London Tech Week, Collision Canada, and Oslo Innovation Week, offering further opportunities to showcase Pakistan's tech capabilities on a global stage and foster international collaborations.
Regards,
P@SHA CEC
By the Members, For the Members
|
|
|
|
May 13, 2024
HBL P@SHA CXO Meetup - Karachi
On 13th May, P@SHA organized the HBL P@SHA CXO Meetup 2024 in Islamabad. This event saw the participation of distinguished diplomats, including Melis Moldaliev - Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Christy Ruban - Minister at the High Commission of Sri Lanka, Mohamed Karmoune - Ambassador at the Embassy of Morocco in Islamabad, Tamerlan Khalilov - Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Muhammad Sultan Al kaitoob - UAE Deputy Ambassador, Ahmed Abdullah Jassim - Deputy Iraqi Military Attache in Pakistan and Yin Shengxin, China Deputy Head of Mission. The meetup provided a unique platform for networking and collaboration among industry leaders and diplomatic representatives.
|
|
|
|
May 23, 2024
UAE Pakistan Tech Collaboration in Abu Dhabi
On 23rd May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, IT Minister Shaza Khawaja, and key ministers participated in the UAE-Pakistan Tech Collaboration roundtable in Abu Dhabi, organized by P@SHA, MoITT, and PSEB, and supported by the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The event fostered deeper engagements between Pakistani and UAE IT companies, highlighted shared ambitions for innovation, and witnessed the signing of three key MoUs.
|
|
|
|
May 29 - 30 ,2024
Dublin Tech Summit 2024
On May 29th, P@SHA took another successful delegation to Dublin Tech Summit 2024. This premier event serves as a critical platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, driving forward the future of technology and digital transformation.
Among the distinguished attendees and P@SHA members, Jamil Goheer from P@SHA CEC, showcased the latest innovations and contributions from the tech ecosystem. The summit promises engaging keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops designed to inspire and challenge the status quo.
|
|
|
|
May 30 ,2024
Coffee with HBL
On May 30th, P@SHA in collaboration with HBL, hosted a Coffee Networking Session with IT/ITes industry members. P@SHA members had the exclusive opportunity to interact with representatives from HBL, Pakistan's premier bank, and explore how future technologies can revolutionize the banking sector. During the session, HBL representatives detailed their innovative products and services, fostering a deeper understanding of how technology can enhance banking operations and customer experiences.
|
|
|
|
Consultations with stakeholders on Federal Budget
P@SHA has been proactively engaged with key government stakeholders in the lead-up to the upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. These collaborations include the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications, Ministry of Commerce, Federal Board of Revenue, and State Bank of Pakistan. Through these consultations, P@SHA has actively advocated for policy initiatives that will support the IT sector's growth in the coming year. Our focus areas include tax exemptions, national branding efforts, skill development programs, initiatives promoting local manufacturing - Make in Pakistan, and the operationalization of Special Technology Zones (STZs).
We are pleased to announce that our comprehensive Annual Budget Recommendations for the 2024-2025 fiscal year will be available on our website shortly. Stay tuned!
|
|
|
|
May 16 ,2024
USAID - Investment Promotion Activity
On May 16, 2024, P@SHA's Policy and Government Affairs team held a productive meeting with the Investment Promotion Activity Team at USAID. The discussion focused on how P@SHA's expertise could assist USAID in identifying policy and regulatory bottlenecks hindering foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan's IT sector. The teams explored strategies for addressing these challenges to improve the ease of doing business and attract more FDI. Additionally, they discussed potential areas for further collaboration that could benefit the Pakistani IT industry.
|
|
|
|
May 21 ,2024
Digital FDI Enabling Project in Pakistan - Tabadlab
The Policy and Govt. Affairs Team at P@SHA participated in the consultation process for the "Digital FDI Enabling Project in Pakistan," a collaborative effort by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), World Economic Forum, Board of Investment (BOI), Ministry of IT and Telecom Pakistan (MoITT), and Tabadlab.
This comprehensive consultation explored over 55 policy options, gathering valuable insights from federal, provincial, private sector, and civil society stakeholders.
Key themes discussed included; Streamlined Institutional Architecture, Stable Regulatory Framework, Digital-Friendly Tax System, Bridging the Skills Gap, Cross-Border Capital Access, Robust Data Governance and strengthening Agri-tech community in Pakistan. Speaking of which, we have just launched our Agri-tech survey, please take a moment to fill out the survey and help us gather better insights of this sector.
|
|
|
|
May 28 ,2024
9th Meeting of National E-Commerce Council
On May 28th, 2024, Secretary General P@SHA, Nadeem Aslam Malik along with the Policy and Govt. Affairs team at P@SHA attended the 9th Meeting of National E-Commerce Council at the Ministry of Commerce. The meeting was led by the Minister of Commerce and included key stakeholders from the e-commerce ecosystem, such as the Chainstore Association of Pakistan, Alfamall (Bank Alfalah), Ministry of IT and Telecom, State Bank, and FBR.
P@SHA Secretary General, Nadeem Aslam Malik, represented the association and advocated for facilitating the IT industry through enhanced training for Trade and Investment Officers. He presented a roadmap for this initiative, and follow-up meetings are scheduled.
|
|
|
|
P@SHA X NADRA
On May 8th, NADRA and P@SHA signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at NADRA Regional Head Office in Islamabad, demonstrating their mutual commitment to utilizing technology for economic advancement, enhanced government services, and digital inclusivity.
The ceremony was attended by key representatives, including Lt Gen Muhammad Munir Afsar, Chairman of NADRA; Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chairman of P@SHA; M. Gohar Ahmed Khan, CEO of NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL); Col (R) Noman Aziz, Chief of Staff at NADRA; Mr. Monis Akhlaq, Chief Information Security Officer; Mr. Qaisar Iqbal, Director of Business Development; Mr. Farrukh Jamal, Dy. Director of Business Development; Nadeem Malik, Secretary General of P@SHA; and Ayesha Ahmed, Director of Industry Engagement at P@SHA.
This collaboration marks a significant step towards leveraging technology to drive economic growth, improve government services, and promote digital inclusion in Pakistan.
|
|
|
|
P@SHA X Innovista
On 2nd May 2024, P@SHA and Innovista | Indus IT Hub / Co-Working Space DHA Karachi signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Convention Center, Defence Authority Country & Gulf Club, Karachi. This strategic partnership is set to boost innovation, strengthen collaboration, and drive growth within the IT sector, benefiting both organizations and the wider industry.
|
|
|
|
Central Executive Committee
Chairman at Invest in Digital Economy Forum, Jordan
On May 26th-27th Chairman P@SHA Muhammad Zohaib Khan represented Pakistan with great distinction at the Invest in Digital Economy Forum along with prestigious attendees including Ambassador Maj-Gen M. Ajmal Iqbal (Retd), held in Amman, Jordan. During this prestigious event, he engaged with Pakistani businesses and international delegations, underscoring the immense potential and capabilities of our nation in the tech sector. This forum provided an excellent platform to showcase the dynamic talent and opportunities that Pakistan offers, further strengthening our ties with the global digital economy.
|
|
|
|
Chairman at Finland Pakistan Digital Summit 2024
On May 21st, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chairman of P@SHA, attended the Finland Pakistan Digital Summit 2024 as a distinguished VIP guest.
|
|
|
|
Chairman at MazikGlobal Pakistan Event
On 31st May, the Chairman of P@SHA delivered remarks and commended the AI Innovation Hub by MazikGlobal Pakistan during the inauguration of their new office at NASTP Karachi.
|
|
|
|
Skills Committee
Skills Team Meeting with the British High Commission
On May 16, the British High Commission met with the P@SHA Skills Team to explore potential collaboration on skills initiatives. Following the discussion, they expressed their willingness to help identify partners who can work with P@SHA to implement training programs across Pakistan.
|
|
|
|
Skills Team Meeting with School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS) NUST
On May 17, the P@SHA Skills Team met with the Dean of SEECS to discuss fostering collaboration between industry and academia. Key points included planning interventions based on industry requirements.
|
|
|
|
Skills Team Meeting with ED NAVTTC
On May 23, a meeting was held with the Executive Director of NAVTTC to discuss granting QAB status to P@SHA.
|
|
|
|
Skills Team Meeting with Ignite and PSEB on CEGA
On May 24, the P@SHA Skills Team had a meeting with Ignite and PSEB. It was an alignment meeting, we discussed future initiatives for Ignite and PSEB including CEGA and Skills Training, with P@SHA providing valuable advice and guidance.
|
|
|
|
Skills Team Meeting with SIFC
On May 22, P@SHA Skills Team along with the Secretary General assisted SIFC management in understanding the current ecosystem of skills initiatives, future requirements, and the planned course of action. Initial discussions have taken place, and more detailed conversations are expected in the future.
|
|
|
|
Skills Team Meeting with NCEAC
On May 27, the P@SHA Skills Team held a meeting with NCEAC to discuss the agenda and working paper for the upcoming Students Quality Enhancement Committee meeting.
|
|
|
|
Skills Team Meeting with NAVTTC
On May 27, the P@SHA Skills Team convened with Dr. Hina and the Director General of Planning and Development and International Cooperation to provide advisory support for programs conducted by NAVTTC.
|
|
|
|
UN Women Collaboration: Consultation Sessions
The Skills Team has been actively conducting consultation sessions with relevant stakeholders from KP and Punjab. So far, five sessions have been held:
Ignite KPITB NIC Peshawar PITB PSDF
Additional sessions are scheduled for early June.
|
|
|
|
Animation and Games
Webinar: Game on Pakistan - Episode 2
P@SHA hosted the second episode of the "Game On Pakistan" webinar series on May 21st! The topic, "State of International Animation Production: Unveiling Opportunities for Pakistan," is now available on YouTube.
|
|
|
|
| Salary Survey 2023-24 |
|
|
P@SHA has published the 2023-24 Salary Survey, a collaborative effort by our Skills Development and Training Team that includes Aleem Abbas, Syeda Safa Hassany, and Rameen Saber, alongside Kashif Hussain from the Policy Team. This comprehensive survey gathers data from across Pakistan, offering valuable insights into salaries, increments, and employee benefits nationwide. The Salary Survey is available on the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Women Empowerment through Technology White Paper |
|
|
Following the recent ITCN Lahore skills roundtables, the Skills Development and Training Team has published an insightful whitepaper titled "Women Empowerment through Technology." It explores strategies and initiatives to enhance women's participation in the tech sector. The whitepaper has been published on the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Digital Economy Skills Action Plan White Paper |
|
|
The second whitepaper, "Digital Economy Skills Action Plan," outlines a comprehensive approach to developing the necessary skills for thriving in today's digital economy. This whitepaper has been published on the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 2, 2024 |
|
| Komatsu Pakistan Soft's CSR Drive: A Humble Contribution in the Educational Sector of Pakistan |
|
With a steadfast commitment to enriching the educational fabric of Pakistan, Komatsu Pakistan Soft collaborated with Read Foundation to set up a library for their school in Bharakahu. Also, classroom set-ups were done where required furniture was provided. Many deserving students were sponsored with scholarships to pursue their higher education.
Managing Director & COO Khalid Yaqub and Manager HR & General Affairs Zainab Qaisar visited the school to meet the students and the faculty members. The former inaugurated the library by cutting a ribbon.
With this, and many other such initiatives, Komatsu Pakistan Soft has emerged not just as a corporate entity but as a beacon of hope, to strengthen the education sector of Pakistan.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 2, 2024 |
|
| Shopify invites Mean3 to NYC Headquarter as one of the top-15 high value agencies around the world |
|
Shopify recently invited 15 top global agencies, including Pakistan's Mean3 led by Abdul Hadi Siraj, to its New York City headquarters for a strategic meeting. This event aimed to foster collaboration and gather feedback on Shopify's platform. The agenda featured roundtable discussions where Mean3 and other agencies shared insights on updates and future enhancements. This gathering recognized Mean3's contributions and showcased the emerging tech scene in Pakistan, enhancing its visibility on the global stage. The event began with personal meetings between Shopify executives and agency leaders, setting the stage for productive exchanges.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 3, 2024 |
|
| Amigos BPO LLC: A Decade of Excellence and Innovation |
|
We are thrilled to announce that Amigos BPO LLC has been honored with a cash award of PKR 2 million by the Ministry of Information Technology on May 3, 2024. This prestigious recognition underscores our dedication to excellence and contributions to Pakistan's IT sector. This award fuels our commitment to innovation and growth as we continue to expand globally. We thank the Ministry for this acknowledgment and remain steadfast in our mission to drive progress and create value in the IT landscape.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 6, 2024 |
|
| Amigos BPO LLC Named Among Top 50 IT Companies in Pakistan |
|
Amigos BPO LLC has been recognized as one of Pakistan's top 50 IT companies. This prestigious accolade highlights our commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence in the IT and BPO sectors. With eight branches and a dedicated team of over 2,000 professionals, we continue to set benchmarks and drive progress. This recognition is a testament to our hard work, strategic growth, and dedication to delivering outstanding service to our clients worldwide. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey!
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 9, 2024 |
|
| 🌟 Celebrating Excellence: Our Annual Awards Night! 🌟 |
|
V2F Solutions commemorated years of remarkable achievements and growth at the annual awards ceremony. From captivating skits reflecting the journey in software development and IT technical requirements to soulful melodies and inspiring speeches, every moment was a tribute to the collective dedication.
🏆 Awards, including 5 years award and many others, highlighted the outstanding contributions driving success.
📸 V2F Solutions cherish the captured memories, embodying the spirit of camaraderie and achievement that define the team.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 10, 2024 |
|
| Launched UpAutomate At ChaiCon Karachi, Our SAAS Product that can Automate Job Hunting for Agencies on Upwork. |
|
UpAutomate reinvents Upwork freelancing. Offering complete job hunting and client vetting Automation. Step into the world where Generative AI takes the lead, allowing Agencies and freelancers to focus on their craft while it spearheads business development.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 13, 2024 |
|
| SMART IS SILVER SPONSOR AT BLUE YONDER ICON 2024 EVENT |
|
Smart IS International attended Blue Yonder ICON conference in Texas on May 13-16. ICON is Blue Yonder’s annual conference for supply chain and retail professionals. This year, Smart IS International was a Silver Sponsor for the event. Executive Vice President Saad Ahmad delivered a presentation entitled “Image Recognition: Supporting Blue Yonder Use Cases”. He expanded on the unique challenges and opportunities in packaged AI applications and emphasized the need for users to be prepared for the products of AI’s ongoing evolution.
ICON is the premiere supply chain event of the year and Smart IS was thrilled to showcase its products amongst other supply chain and Warehouse Management Systems industry leaders.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 18, 2024 |
|
| Resourceinn Wins Best SaaS Award at NSIT Awards 2024! |
|
Geekinn Pvt Ltd., a proud member of Pasha for over three years, has achieved a significant milestone. Our flagship product, Resourceinn, has won the prestigious Best Software as a Service (SaaS) award at the NSIT Awards 2024, standing out among over 600 companies across Pakistan.
The NSIT Innovation Awards 2024 were organized by the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (CBD) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). Winning this award is a testament to our dedication and the invaluable support we have received from the Pasha community.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 20, 2024 |
|
| DigiTrends Makes a Splash at Finnovex 2024, Championing Financial Innovation |
|
DigiTrends, a leading technology provider known for its innovative solutions, played a prominent role at the recent Finnovex Summit 2024. Finnovex, a premier event for financial services innovation, convened industry leaders, visionaries, and disruptors to explore emerging trends shaping the financial landscape. DigiTrends actively participated, solidifying their position as a key driver of positive change within the financial sector.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 23, 2024 |
|
| DigiTrends is proud to be named as Clutch Global and Clutch Champion Award winner! |
|
DigiTrends, a name synonymous with innovation and excellence, is celebrating a major victory! The company has secured not one, but two prestigious Clutch Awards – the Clutch Global Award and the Clutch Champion Award. These awards recognize top B2B service providers based on verified client reviews, making them a coveted mark of distinction in the industry.
Clutch is a leading platform that connects businesses with vetted service providers. They go beyond simple listings, conducting in-depth client interviews to assess a company's ability to deliver results and foster positive client relationships. Winning a Clutch Award is no small feat – it signifies a proven track record of exceeding client expectations and building trust.
View Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
| WELCOME TO P@SHA COMMUNITY |
|
|
|
|
We proudly welcome the newest members of the PASHA community. Together let's forge a path for industry growth, success, and a better economic future powered by IT.
|
|
|
|
|
10 – 14 June 2024
London Tech Week
London Tech Week is a global celebration of tech, uniting the most innovative thinkers and talent of tomorrow in a week-long festival.
|
|
|
|
17 – 20 June 2024
Collison Canada
Toronto will host this prestigious event, offering unparalleled growth and networking prospects for Pakistan's tech industry.
|
|
|
|
23 – 27 September 2024
Oslo Innovation Week
Oslo Innovation Week is a prominent annual event in Europe, attracting a diverse array of innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders from various sectors. This innovation festival serves as an excellent platform for exploring and promoting cutting-edge technologies, entrepreneurship, and innovative solutions.
|
|
|
|
| Secretariat |
|
Daftarkhwan Vanguard, 5-A Constitution Avenue, F-5/1, F-5, Islamabad
|
|
|
|
|
|
