P@SHA PULSE Vol 20. June 2024 Edition
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Dear Members,
As we reflect on the remarkable achievements of the past month, we are reminded of the unwavering commitment and innovation that drive our industry forward. Our participation in London Tech Week 2024 and Collision Canada 2024 showcased Pakistan’s technological prowess on a global stage, underscoring our potential as a leading tech hub.
The recent collaborations and discussions, including the significant meeting with GSMA and the ongoing consultations with the Ministry of Commerce, highlight our proactive approach to addressing industry challenges and advocating for policies that foster growth and innovation.
Our engagement with key stakeholders on critical issues, such as the Federal Budget 2024-25, underscores our role as a vocal advocate for the IT sector. The recent press conference and our presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue emphasize our commitment to ensuring that the concerns of our industry are heard and addressed.
We continue to work tirelessly on initiatives that empower and uplift our community. The ongoing Skills Survey and workshop sessions, our collaboration with GIZ to improve the TVET sector, and our efforts with UN Women to empower women through digitization are all steps towards building a more inclusive and skilled workforce.
As we progress, we encourage all members to participate in our upcoming events and initiatives actively. Your engagement and feedback are crucial in shaping the future of our industry. Let’s continue to work together to promote innovation, advocate for fair policies, and elevate Pakistan’s IT sector to new heights.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication.
Regards,
P@SHA CEC
By the Members, For the Members
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June 10 - 14, 2024
London Tech Week 2024
P@SHA led a prominent delegation to London Tech Week 2024, comprising leading IT companies and key partners.
The delegation was supported by esteemed partners including the Ministry of IT and Telecom Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Pakistan (MoFA), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the Embassy of Pakistan in the UK, HBL, Trade Development Authority, and Tech Destination Pakistan.
Our delegation actively participated in various activities throughout the week, showcasing Pakistan's innovation, expertise, and technological advancements.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UK, inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion, symbolizing Pakistan's vibrant IT sector. The pavilion served as a central hub for networking, collaboration, and discovering cutting-edge innovations from Pakistan's leading IT companies.
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June 13, 2024
P@SHA and GSMA Discuss Future Collaborations in Islamabad
on June 13th Julian Gorman, Head of APAC, and Saira Faisal Syed, Country Lead on Digital Transformation at GSMA, recently met with P@SHA's Secretary General, Nadeem Malik, and Director of Industry Engagement, Ayesha Ahmed, at the Islamabad office. This meeting marked a significant step forward in discussions for potential collaboration.
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June 17 - 20 ,2024
Collision Canada 2024
P@SHA led a distinguished delegation to Canada Collision 2024, showcasing top IT companies and key partners. Supported by the Canadian consulate, PSEB, Tech Destination, and Trade Development Authority, the delegation highlighted Pakistan's tech industry.
Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan emphasized Pakistan's potential as a leading tech hub during the panel discussion "Government and Industry: Creating a Sustainable Tech Hub." Jamil Goheer, CEC Member and Chair of the Brand & Global Outreach Committee, shared his expertise on digital transformations and software quality management.
P@SHA, in collaboration with the Canadian consulate, PSEB, Tech Destination, and Trade Development Authority, hosted the Pak Canada Tech Forum on June 19th, 2024. The event featured top business leaders and technologists from Pakistan and Canada, fostering networking and collaboration.
Attendees included P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Brand Chair Jamil Goheer, Mr. Khalil Bajwa, Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto, Altamash Janjua, Head of Trade and Investment at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Toronto, and Abrar Mir from HBL. Special thanks to Mr. Shah Jahan for sharing valuable diaspora insights.
This event marks a significant step in strengthening international collaborations and promoting Pakistan's tech industry globally.
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Webinar on UN Women Women Empowerment Principles (WEP) Awards
This webinar aimed to promote and guide participants on how to apply for the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) Awards, recognizing businesses that champion gender equality and women's empowerment. It was an insightful and inspiring event to learn how businesses can contribute to and be recognized for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
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Post Budget Meetings with Relevant Stakeholders
Press Conference at the FPCCI House, Karachi
P@SHA Condemns Federal Budget 2024-25: Calls for Urgent Reform to Prevent IT Sector Collapse
The Pakistan IT Industry Association (P@SHA) held an urgent press conference at the FPCCI Head Office to address the significant challenges overlooked in the proposed federal budget for 2024-25. Chairman P@SHA, Mr. Zohaib Khan along with CEC member, Mr. Shahzad Shahid underscored the critical issues facing the IT industry, particularly the inequitable tax regime for remote workers, which threatens to undermine the government's revenue goals and exacerbate the country's brain drain.
The press conference showcased a united front within the IT industry, with representatives voicing their disapproval of the proposed budget's discouraging measures.
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Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue
On 15th June P@SHA was invited to present its position on the recently announced Federal Budget 2024-25 during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue. The Secretary General P@SHA, Mr. Nadeem A. Malik articulated industry’s concerns regarding the budget, particularly emphasizing the absence of anticipated incentives for the IT sector.
P@SHA sounded the alarm about the complete absence of essential incentives for the IT sector. P@SHA's stark warnings, particularly regarding the unfair tax burden on IT employees compared to remote workers and the roadblocks to repatriating foreign remittances, were met with immediate agreement and a commitment to act.
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News Statements
Over the past month, P@SHA has fervently raised its voice regarding the recently announced Federal Budget. P@SHA remains steadfast in its commitment to amplifying the voice of the IT sector through various news media platforms, expressing significant concerns about the Federal Budget 2024-25 and warning that high taxation will exacerbate the brain drain in the IT industry. Despite government assurances, the budget has overlooked the industry's proposals. P@SHA continues to advocate for fair tax laws and reforms to strengthen Pakistan's IT industry.
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Ministry of Commerce
The Ministry of Commerce held consultations with P@SHA regarding a tariff proposal for the next budget. The discussions focused on introducing special import duty concessions on capital equipment specifically for SME Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) firms. These concessions aim to enable SMEs to upgrade their service offerings, improve productivity, expand their seat capacity, and ultimately enhance their global competitiveness. P@SHA in consultation with the industry stakeholders, provided a list of all the proposed items for tariff concessions.
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HBL P@SHA Policy Jirga Phase III
P@SHA, in collaboration with the National IT Board (NITB), successfully conducted the third phase of the HBL Policy Jirga Review sessions under the Demand Driven Industry Quality and Capacity Enhancement Program.
During the third phase of the Policy Jirga Review Sessions held in June 2024, P@SHA garnered unwavering assistance from industry leaders, known for their commitment to advancing the digital landscape. P@SHA extended invitations to distinguished experts in pertinent fields to scrutinize the following five policy documents:
Digital Identity Guidelines
Review of Requirements Documentation Guidelines
Software Application Standards
Software OR Mobile Non-Functional Testing & Evaluation
Social Media for State Business Policy
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P@SHA X World Startup Championship
P@SHA is excited to be a Community Partner at the World Startup Championship 2024! Join us in shaping a socially and economically impactful Pakistan.
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Central Executive Committee
Chairman P@SHA at Slush D' Event
Chairman P@SHA Muhammad Zohaib Khan representing Pakistan's IT sector at Slush D' Event on 29th June, highlighting innovation and growth opportunities in our tech industry.
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June 28, 2024
17th CEC Meeting of P@SHA
The 17th CEC Meeting of P@SHA was held on 28th June 2024 during which the CEC Members held discussions on the current issues being confronted by the IT Industry, Budget and activities to be done at P@SHA.
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Skills Committee
Skills Survey and Workshop Sessions
We have commenced work on the Skills Survey. This survey is designed to gather valuable insights into the skill sets and training needs. We have also started conducting Design workshop sessions. These workshops help gain insights from industry experts and have been instrumental in refining the survey's design, making it more aligned with industry standards and expectations.
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Meeting with GIZ
P@SHA Met GIZ team to discuss the collaboration on improving the TVET sector and the quality of NAVTTC. P@SHA is planning to work with GIZ to carry out a detailed exercise on Labor Market Analysis through Skills Survey, Skills Mapping and Training design and Quality Assessment of TVET sector. The collaboration will result in the long term sustainable design of the training ecosystem to better align it with the industry demands.
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Continued Collaboration with UN Women
P@SHA has continued working on the collaborative work on the design of interventions for their upcoming program for the empowerment of women and their digitization in KP and Punjab. The P@SHA Skills team interviewed a number of stakeholders throughout the federal level and the regional levels to design the best program that ensures effectiveness and sustainability.
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Annual Budget Recommendations for the IT and ITes Sector for the year 2024-25 |
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P@SHA is pleased to present its Annual Budget Recommendations for financial year 2024-25. As a yearly publication, the budget recommendations serve as a roadmap for policymakers to enable a business-friendly environment for the industry, enhance exports, and help advance digitalization in Pakistan.
Our focus: doubling IT exports by next year through tax incentives and industry awareness.
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Policy Position Paper and Legal Framework for Taxation on Remote Workers |
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Remote workers benefit from low remittance taxes, paying as little as 0.25% if registered with PSEB (1% if not registered with PSEB) as freelancers, contrasting sharply with corporate IT employees who face high payroll taxes ranging from 5% to 35%. This tax disparity is driving key employees towards remote jobs, draining talent from corporate sectors and potentially reducing tax revenues. Lower taxes attract talent away, destabilize local wages, and threaten workforce stability. P@SHA advocates for fair taxation policies that support talent retention and foster sustainable economic growth.
For a detailed examination, refer to P@SHA's Policy Position Paper and Legal Framework for Taxation on Remote Workers.
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White paper on Bridging the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship |
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Pakistan’s significant gender gap, ranked 142nd out of 146 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2023, hinders its economic potential. Closing this gap could boost GDP by 30%, yet female labor force participation is only 24%. The digital divide further exacerbates disparities, with significant gaps in mobile ownership and internet usage, especially in rural areas like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. To address these issues, P@SHA arranged a Policy Roundtable on “Bridging the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship” was held at ITCN Asia Lahore 2024, featuring leading women in Pakistan’s tech sector. The discussion focused on promoting female leadership, flexible work cultures, and partnerships with IT companies and international organizations to foster gender inclusivity.
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June 24, 2024 |
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WebHR: First Pakistani HR Firm to Secure ISO 27001 and SOC2 Type 2 |
WebHR, a pioneering HR technology company from Pakistan, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining ISO 27001 and SOC2 Type 2 compliance certifications from the United States. This achievement underscores WebHR's commitment to the highest standards of data security and operational excellence. The ISO 27001 certification ensures robust information security management, while SOC2 Type 2 compliance highlights WebHR's adherence to rigorous standards for managing customer data. This recognition positions WebHR as a global leader in HR solutions, showcasing its dedication to protecting client data and delivering exceptional service.
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June 13, 2024 |
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DigiTrends Showcases Future of Health Tech at Norway Health Tech Festival 2024 |
DigiTrends proudly showcased its latest health tech innovations at the Norway Health Tech Festival 2024 in Oslo. With the theme "Taking care of tomorrow," the event brought together key stakeholders from the healthcare technology industry. The festival featured insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, highlighting the growing importance of health tech in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
Attendees explored advanced immersive health tech solutions and connected with DigiTrends' leadership, including the CEO of DigiTrends Norway, Raja Khuram Iqbal, CMO of DigiTrends Norway, and Henry Shek. The festival highlighted the growing importance of health tech in shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
View Website
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June 6, 2024 |
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Smart IS lit up the night with laughter and music at their 11th annual dinner, honoring employees for their exceptional contributions. |
On June 6th, Smart IS proudly celebrated a milestone, our 11th annual dinner. Reflecting on 11 years of excellence, we honored exceptional employees for going above and beyond and celebrated their remarkable achievements. CEO Khurram Ahmad, delivered an inspiring address, highlighting the transformative potential of AI. The event’s highlight was the Innovator of the Year Award presented to Muhammad Haris, symbolizing our commitment to innovation. This award underscores our commitment to progress, motivating us all to excel at Smart IS. Against the backdrop of live music and laughter, the evening was a delightful blend of gourmet dining, fun games, and cherished moments shared with friends and family.
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June 27, 2024 |
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Excellence Delivered Unveils Groundbreaking AI Innovation, SAP Joule, for the first time in Pakistan |
The unveiling highlighted SAP Joule's revolutionary capabilities, designed to enhance business operations across SAP’s entire solution portfolio.
The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers and a live panel discussion with experts from SAP, Engro, United Energy, and the Gatronova group among others, discussing AI's transformative power across various industries.
ExD, is known for its extensive work with leading brands across industries in EU, Pakistan, and the MENA region as the only SAP Platinum Partner from Pakistan and a member of UVARs. ExD was recognized for innovation in AI and IoT at the 2023 HBL Pasha ICT Awards, the APICTA 2023 Awards, and also holds a US-based patent for its proprietary IoT product, Brain Box.
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June 5, 2024 |
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SAP Innovation Day Qatar - Sponsored by Excellence Delivered |
Excellence Delivered was a proud sponsor of SAP Innovation Day Qatar with Sajjad Syed engaging the audience in a fireside chat with Kuldeep Raina, delving into the capabilities of SAP Joule, the AI copilot.
Sajjad Syed shared valuable insights on SAP Joule AI and its game-changing potential to transform industries.
Excellence Delivered was proud to showcase Pakistan IT industry's prominence at the international level alongside giants like. Tata, NTT, Yash, and the largest Qatari company Mannai.
With this partnership, Excellence Delivered remains at the forefront of technology and innovation, committed to driving digital transformation across diverse sectors.
View Website
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WELCOME TO P@SHA COMMUNITY |
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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.
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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.
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26 September 2024
HBL CXO Meetup 2024- Faisalabad
We are excited to announce the upcoming HBL P@SHA CXO Meetup, a unique event where innovation converges with leadership, scheduled as per the following:
- HBL P@SHA CXO Meetup - Faisalabad: July 26th, 2024
Prepare for an exceptional networking opportunity as we gather CXOs from the vibrant northern region of Pakistan. Accompanied by seasoned industry experts, diplomats, and trade commissioners from various embassies, the HBL P@SHA CXO meetup promises valuable networking opportunities and connections. Don't miss the chance to engage, collaborate, and expand your professional network within our esteemed community.
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Secretariat |
Daftarkhwan Vanguard, 5-A Constitution Avenue, F-5/1, F-5, Islamabad
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