Aitizaz Hassan

The business community associated with digital economy has welcomed the planned establishment of Google, Facebook and TikTok offices in Pakistan. Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque said in a recent statement that a Google delegation has planned to visit Pakistan soon. He said Google has finalised its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). He said Google has planned to formally launch its office in Pakistan very soon.

The Ministry of IT and Telecom has been perusing the matter of Google office in Pakistan for the last two years. Besides that, TikTok has also showed interest in establishing an office in Pakistan soon. Fahad Malik, a digital media expert who runs an IT company, told WealthPK that Pakistan now lacks regional offices of international digital firms.

“Facebook has a point of contact in Karachi, but doesn’t occupy an office. Similarly, there is no representation of Google, Twitter and TikTok in Pakistan. It will be a milestone if Google, Facebook and TikTok make their offices in the country,” he said. Fahad Malik said the most progressing industry in the world is the IT industry during this era. He said digital assets are getting more worth in the world.

“The world is going towards a metaverse and digital revolution. In future, another digitally empowered world will be shaped parallel to this world, and Pakistan will have to be the part of that world,” he said. Fahad Malik said that Pakistan is a lucrative market for international firms and that’s why more IT companies are galloping to the country. Digital service providers in Pakistan serve international entrepreneurs at a reasonable cost. He said Pakistan’s digital market isn’t only cheaper, but also provides more reliable operations compared to other markets.

“Suppose an international firm is paying $1,000 to other markets, the cost of the same service can be 50% lesser in Pakistan. Therefore, various international companies sublet their services in Pakistan. Many Pakistani Fiverr and Upwork account holders are serving the world because of their reasonable cost and quality work,” Fahad Malik said.

Fahad Malik said the Government of Pakistan took prudent decisions to unleash the potential of the digital industry in Pakistan, and now the country is heading in a right direction. He said the initiative of tax amnesty scheme for freelancers and loan opportunities is a real breakthrough for the digital industry.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk