Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of modern technology is essential for the rapid development of the country and the goal of progress and prosperity can be achieved by imparting modern knowledge to the young generation. He said that Pakistan has excellent brains, innovative ideas and modern concepts however there is a need to give them a practical shape. He said that Pakistan can be transformed in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal through hard work, honesty and commitment and by equipping the youth with the modern technology. He said that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for promoting information technology and huge investment has been made on the development of this sector.
The Chief Minister was addressing inaugural ceremony of Innovation Punjab Website launched by Punjab Information Technology Board with the collaboration of Google Company at Arfa Karim Software Technology Park, here today. William Fritz Gerald of Google Company, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board Dr. Umer Saif, President Pakistan Software Housing Association Jehan Ara and a large number of IT experts were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister said that launching of the first innovation policy of Punjab with the collaboration between Punjab Information Technology Board and Google Company is a good omen. He said that the purpose of the innovation policy is provision of the best services to the citizens, ensuring their access to information, promotion of information technology for accelerating business activities and strengthening of economy. He said that he believes in socio-economic justice as it is essential for the development of a society. He said that socio-economic justice can be ensured through innovation and Punjab government has taken a positive step in this direction by launching innovation policy. He said that innovation policy will also help in empowerment of citizens, generation of job opportunities and strengthening of economy. He said that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the promotion of information technology and laptops are being distributed among the youth on merit at a cost of eight billion rupees for imparting them latest knowledge. He said that 1.25 lakh laptops were distributed among talented boy and girl students last year and an equal number of laptops will be given this year. He said that Daanish Technology University is being set up in the province and the first campus of this university will start functioning at Arfa Karim Software Technology Park next month. He said that Punjab government is working with Microsoft Company for the promotion of IT technology. He said that the setting up of IT labs in more than four thousand schools of the province at a cost of Rs.5 billion with the collaboration of various international companies has helped in promoting awareness in lakhs of students about the changing global trends and modern knowledge. He said that Punjab government has introduced a unique and modern public transport system and information technology is being used in metro bus service project. He said that the modern public transport system will result in the latest transport facilities to the citizens and economic revolution will be brought about in the country. He said that air-conditioned buses are being plied in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Faisalabad for the benefit of citizens while this project will be extended to other cities of the province as well. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Chairman Information Technology Board Dr. Umer Saif for the promotion of information technology in the province and introduction of IT projects in the government institutions.
Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board Dr. Umer Saif while addressing the ceremony said that IT has assumed great importance in the present age and only those nations can move ahead which adopt this technology. He said that a positive change can be brought about in the lives of the people through the use of IT and the goal of progress and prosperity of the country can also be achieved. He said that innovation policy has been formulated with hard work and collaboration of Google. William Fritz Jerald has said that innovation policy has been evolved with the collaboration of Punjab Information Technology Board and its implementation will yield positive results. Earlier the Chief Minister formally inaugurated Punjab Website (innovation.gop.pk). He also distributed shields among innovators.