Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has shown annoyance over the poor performance of the Special Technology Zones Authority and formed a committee to ensure the revival of its operations, WealthPK reports. Chairing a high-level meeting on the STZA, he said that the committee would be headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. The committee members include IT minister, law minister, Adviser Ahad Cheema, Senator Afnanullah and the chairman of the Capital Development Authority.

He instructed the committee to present its recommendations within a week. He ordered the authorities concerned to immediately operationalise the STZA board of governors, comprising experts from the relevant field. The prime minister said any wastage of public resources would not be tolerated. He said that skilled Pakistani youth were earning a livelihood on their own and the relevant authority remained dormant.

He said that instead of investing in real estate, the STZA’s real objective was to promote technology. No delay in the reformation and operationalisation of the STZA would be acceptable, he added. The prime minister said that the Pakistan Muslim League-N introduced skill education for youth to enhance IT exports. During the Covid-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of youngsters earned a livelihood by using laptops given to them by the government, he added.

The meeting was informed that 400 companies were registered with the STZA. Out of these companies, 63% are from Pakistan and the rest belong to China, the USA, Turkey and other countries. The participants of the meeting were also apprised of the issues regarding the Authority board of governors. The prime minister directed the STZA to ensure the effective implementation of the measures to promote IT exports.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk