IT Minister Announces Emergency Meeting After PM Measures Raise Concerns in Tech Sector

Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Khawaja said she will convene an important emergency meeting to review the possible impact of the austerity measures announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the country’s IT industry.

Officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan Software Export Board and National Information Technology Board are expected to attend the meeting to ensure that export-oriented technology businesses remain unaffected.

Concerns emerged within the technology sector after the prime minister announced fuel conservation and austerity measures aimed at managing the global energy crisis. Industry representatives warned that restrictions on fuel usage, work-from-home requirements and reduced office operations could disrupt software exports, call center services and business process outsourcing operations that run around the clock.

Shaza Fatima said the government is committed to protecting exports and ensuring that the IT industry continues to operate without interruption. She added that the meeting will address any implementation issues and ensure the BPO and call center sector remains fully operational.

The minister also said the government will keep the industry informed after consultations and assured companies that support will remain available through the Pakistan Software Export Board’s 24 hour email and call center services.

Industry representatives welcomed the assurances but called for the technology sector to be formally exempted from the austerity measures, arguing that IT exports require uninterrupted operations to maintain confidence among international clients.

The prime minister recently announced austerity steps, including a four-day workweek, reduced fuel allocations for official vehicles, work-from-home arrangements for 50 percent of staff and temporary school closures. The government said the measures were necessary due to rising global fuel prices linked to tensions affecting supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.