Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressing annoyance over the performance of the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA), formed a committee to ensure revival of the body’s operations.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the STZA in Islamabad, the premier said that the committee would be headed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and comprise IT minister, law minister, PM's Advisor to Ahad Cheema, Senator Afnanullah and Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
PM Shehbaz instructed the committee to present its recommendations within a week and also directed to immediately operationalise the STZA’s board of governors which should consist of experts from the relevant field.
"Any wastage of public resources will not be tolerated," the premier said, adding that Pakistani skilled youths are earning livelihood at their own while the relevant authority is lying dysfunctional.
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, the prime minister commented.
PM Shehbaz said that in its tenure, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) introduced skill education to the youth with a view to enhance IT exports. During the COVID pandemic, hundreds of thousands of youngsters earned livelihood by using these laptops.
During the briefing, the meeting was told that 400 companies were registered with the STZA, out of 63% were from Pakistan and rest belonged to China, USA, Turkey and other countries.
The participants of the meeting were also apprised of the issues regarding the Authority’s board of governors.
PM Shehbaz directed the STZA to ensure effective implementation of the measures for promotion of country’s IT exports.
Federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Syed Aminul Haq, Advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, SAPM Jahanzeb Khan and other relevant officers attended the meeting.
