Prime Minister’s 17-member Task Force on IT & Telecom has been announced

Prime Minister’s Task Force on IT & Telecom has been approved by the Federal Cabinet to advise policy changes and develop strategic plans to strengthen the technology ecosystem of Pakistan. In a meeting held, on October 25th, the constitution of the task force was discussed by the Federal Cabinet. All members of the task force are now announced in a notification released by the Ministry of IT & Telecom, dated November 5th.

The Task Force on IT & Telecom will be led by Federal Minister IT & Telecom Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui who will serve as the Chairman of the Task Force. Comprising of entrepreneurs, academics and corporate professionals, the Task Force has a diverse membership that will advise the Prime Minister on matters relating to the technology ecosystem of Pakistan.

Here is a list of all members that will be working on the Task Force and helping the Prime Minister pave a way for a transformative digital economy,

1. Secretary, Ministry of IT & Telecom
2. Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training
3. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, Former Minister of Science & Technology and Former Chairman of Higher Education Commission
4. Engr. Jawad Salim Qureshi, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council
5. Syed Raza Ali Shah, Member IT at Ministry of IT & Telecom
6. Mudassir Hussain, Member Telecom at Ministry of IT & Telecom
7. Vice Admiral (R) Syed Arifullah Hussaini, CEO Hussaini Concepts & Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
8. Syed Ahmed, Chairman P@SHA and CEO DPL
9. Dr. Zartash Afzal Uzmi, Faculty of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science LUMS
10. Shahid Mustafa, CEO Telenor Microfinance Bank
11. Nadeem Mustafa, Former Country Manager Microsoft
12. Jehan Ara, Founder The Nest I/O
13. Zohair Khaliq, Co-Founder & Partner Teamup – National Incubation Center and Former CEO Mobilink
14. Pervez Iftikhar, CEO ICT Forum Pakistan and Former CEO Universal Services Fund
15. Abdul Aziz Khan, Chairman Appollo Telecom and Former CEO Ufone
16. Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Vice Chancellor NED University of Engineering & Technology

The members of the Task Force on IT & Telecom are not only seasoned professionals but have actively advocated in the past for the challenges faced by the technology and telecom stakeholders of Pakistan. With their experience and advisory expertise, it is expected that the government will launch a long-term strategic plan that will not only entail policy changes but also incentives for the technology and telecom industry.