The succes story of Bilal Mumtaz || Director Sehat

“Shortly after graduating from University of Western Ontario, I was left with the daunting task of finding a job to support myself. Having previously completed internships in the realms of statistical research, journalism and advertising, I decided it was fitting to take up work for a startup in Canada dealing with discount options for retailers, through an app and physical POS device. Though the startup was short-lived, it taught me a lot about delving on to a career that re...quired intensive communication and sound business development planning.

After I left Canada for Pakistan, Sehat was in its second year of R&D, having been formed as a project between myself and my four elder brothers. It was up to me to launch the entire operations within a space of four months - we already had the warehouse facility, procurement contracts, logistic partnerships and team in place. However, I too had a fair share of many struggles as an entrepreneur. It's always the most difficult thing to change the culture of a workplace. Ideally, one should be happy with what they're doing and not focus on petty internal issues or competitors against them in the same space.

Whenever you are trying to bring something new and novel to an ecosystem, many will have doubts about your service and feel that you are simply "wasting your time". I had the door slammed on my face many times when I was initially marketing Sehat to doctors, potential customers, and business partners. This was a mere few months before the internet boom really took e-commerce to new heights. Since then, everyone in my team has been working diligently to make Sehat a household name. I don't see that day being that far now, to be frank. My entire journey of struggles reminds me of one quote I strongly believe in:
‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you; then you win.’” – Bilal Mumtaz, Director Sehat

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Each success and failure is itself a learning experience

“There comes a time in your life when you have to sink or swim, and the former could never be an option for your passion. After years of struggle, I landed up with my passion as “True Brew Records”, which wasn’t an easy journey for me but the key to my success was being persistent with my passion.

Being an art school graduate I had an unexplored passion for music, after five years studying art first in Lahore and then in London, I took a leap of faith and decided to trust in my abilities as a musician and producer. To pursue music in Pakistan is very difficult and frightening, but ultimately was also the most liberating, decision of my life. This is why I had to take things more seriously, as music in Pakistan is not taken as a viable career. Also, I had no real portfolio to demonstrate my skill set and it took quite some years and much toil to build recognition in the industry.
Initially, I had an idea to set up a production house with an acquaintance that would cover both audio and video. When that effort did not pan out, I decided on setting up an audio facility on my own, one that would function as a creative space from where I could work and launch my projects.
The biggest lesson in last six years of working on my company is one must, against all odds, persevere. Each success and failure is itself a learning experience that helps shape and mature one's efforts. Nothing works exactly as planned but, as long as one genuinely and passionately keeps chipping away at it, things do work out for the best.” – Jamal Rehman, Founder and Producer at True Brew Records

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Mr. Miftah shared his inspirational entrepreneurial journey with Plan9 - PITB's Tech Incubator

For the launch of Plan9 Baithak, Plan9 in collaboration with Information Technology University brought Mr. Miftah Ismail Ahmad, the Minister of State/Chairman Board of Investment join the audience that hugely consisted of budding entrepreneurs looking to start their own startups. Mr. Miftah shared his inspirational entrepreneurial journey with them. With a diverse range of experience behind him, his story gave a lot of value addition for individuals trying to test the entrepreneurial battle ground. The fact that his experience is a mix of both public and private sector puts him in the best position to give valuable feedback to people trying to make a space in the startup ecosystem.
"You should be able to avail the first mover advantage to be known as the innovator. No matter how good the idea is, if you are not able to market it well, it won’t be a success. It is essential that your idea is original and not a rip off of another's. You should be able to explain your idea in just 4-5 minutes maximum. You should be an expert at it as that is the maximum attention span an investor/customer has" Mifta Ismail's advice to the startups. 

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US Ambassador's Memo on Pakistan

Subject:  US Ambassador's Memo on Pakistan


US Ambassador's Memo on Pakistan

Memo #3  ....

Having been in Pakistan since October, I am forwarding a brief review of my first personal impressions.


1) View about America: Survey after survey has shown that the populace at large has very unfavorably views US government and policy. The perception in the corridors of power is very different. Given their propensities to focus on conspiracy theories most of them have a notion of US influence in Pakistan that far exceeds our real capabilities. Sometimes I feel as the “Governor General” from a bygone past caught in a historic time warp. From the highest office down to mid -level functionaries, perception becomes reality, when it comes to viewing US as the kingmaker. This mostly helps us in stacking the deck of cards in our favor but also works against us at times when diplomacy is seen as failing. The dilemma for our policy is incongruence between our objectives and the popular sentiment of the people in Pakistan. Changing this is not merely a matter of perception and has to be more than a public relations exercise. It will require a significant change in our strategic trajectory.


2) The Social divide: Having served in Iraq I have experienced the divide between the elites and the common citizen, which is quite typical of the Middle East and South Asian countries. In Pakistan however it takes unparalleled heights. My first private party at a key ministers residence, the opulent lifestyle was in full contrast to the plight of those serving us. White gloved waiters were standing with ashtrays so that the corpulent minister and guests could smoke their Cuban cigars at will, and with utmost disdain flicker the ash at random intervals to be caught by the gloved waiter with unsurpassed skill. Alcohol, which is, otherwise not in public display in this Islamic country was flowing from an open bar. Our hosts were shocked that most of the American guests did not drink. I was taken aback at the presence of so many blond Pakistani women, on inquiring was told by our bemused social secretary about the miracle of peroxide and modern hair coloring which seems to be the fashion statement of the day for well groomed (sic) modern Pakistani women. As we pulled out to leave, the sight of an army of drivers was something to behold, huddled in the frigid night until the wee hours, for the masters to terminate their fracas. Service is legitimate but this smacked of servitude, opprobrium reminiscent of attitudes of European aristocracy and our own experience with slavery.


3) Hypocrisy a new dimension: I was stunned to hear form a very senior political functionary about US interference in the internal affairs of the country. When pointed out that this interference could be curtailed if the Government of Pakistan would refuse to take Billions of Dollars in US aid annually, his response was that monies were for services rendered in the fighting terrorism. Purloin of developmental funds to support the prodigious lifestyle of the ruling elite seems to be the normative. This can be only rationalized as a self-entitled narcissism of a collective of people with a rapacious appetite to loot the country.


4) The common man: My contact has been limited but even with limited exposure they continue to amaze me. In abject poverty and mired in the maelstrom of illiteracy they display a dignity and authenticity that is in stark contrast to the capriciousness of the pseudo westernized elites. Hospitable to a fault and honest despite being in the vortex of poverty the common everyday people of Pakistan display great ingenuity to survive against formidable odds, a gristle of the soul, that must come from a past rooted in spiritual life of a different sort.


5) Democracy: In Pakistan democracy has taken a dimension that borders on mockery of true representative government. The elected representatives come almost exclusively for the elite and privileged class. Rather than representing the populace they are more like local regional ‘viceroys’ representing the federal government and their own vested interests in the regions. Most are in politics not with a sense of public service but more to maximize the opportunity to make money, which they do with total disdain. The mainstream political parties are oligarchies controlled by the founding patriarchs or their heirs. One wonders if this is the model, we seek to perpetuate? Given my background as a history professor I have my druthers.


6) Alchemy of change: The polarization in the society makes significant change likely in the near future but given the deficit of leadership and organization it is not inevitable. This situation is unlikely to be remedied in the short term. If such a leadership were to emerge then conflict between the polarized segments would likely ensue. Under these circumstances we will not be able to count on the Military as a stabilizing force. The Military though a disciplined and well led, is a egalitarian body with much of its leadership and rank coming from middle, lower middle and poor classes. Their support of any move to perpetuate the rule of the elite will be at their own peril. The current military leadership is unlikely to prop the existing structure if such a conflict was to occur and possibly may even be catalytic toward such change. This is in stark departure f rom the past.


Pakistan is a fascinating place the contradictions are glaring but the promise is great, ironically what may be good for Pakistan may at least in the short term not be good for furtherance of our policy goals. We need to take a long view and it may be worthwhile to cut our losses, uncouple from the ruling elite and align our self with popular grassroots sentiment in the country. This would change our perception in the short term and when change does come we, for a change, will be on the right side.

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Pak -Afghan Relation and Turkham Border incident ~ Siraj-ul-Haq

Pak-Afghan Issue put up by Ameer JI Pakistan Siraj-ul-Haq  He says if Pakistan and Afghan be at war, it ll only benefit India not Pakistan.

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Siraj-ul-Haq has said that Turkham Border incident is a result of Indian proxy war, while Pakistan and Afghanistan will have to resolve their disputes through talks. He said there was Indian hand behind every terrorist activity inside Pakistan or from outside. He said that India wanted to use Afghanistan against this country but would fail in her designs and Afghanistan and Pakistan would move shoulder to shoulder with each other like brothers.

The JUI chief paid rich tributes to Maj. Jawad Ali Changezi, who embraced martyrdom after being hit in firing by Afghan troops at Turkham. He said that the deceased had sacrificed his life for the country’s defense. He expressed condolences with the bereaved family.   

Siraj-ul-Haq Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami in an exclusive interview with Sana Mirza on Jaag Tv.

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Reality of Punishment and Reward of Grave

Now a days many people think that a person will get rewards and punishments of his good and bad deeds only on the day of judgement and after his death he will not be accountable for his deeds .It is a misconception which has nothing to do with the message of Quran and authentic hadiths.

Allah swt has said in Holy Quran in surah At-Takathur:

The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you, Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die). (At-Takathur 102:1-2)

These verses are indicating that a man will see result of his deeds when he will die and enter the grave.If some one thinks that death will finish his activities and these verses are not indicating any thing about rewards and punishment of grave than he should read this verse of Holy Quran:

The Fire; they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon, and on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): "Cause Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) people to enter the severest torment!" (Ghafir 40:46)

This verse is a clear indicator of the fact that Pharaoh and his supporters are bearing fire of hell before the day of judgement for their transgression .

Similarly there are many hadiths which indicate the punishment and reward of grave some of these are as follows:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that a dark-complexioned woman (or a youth) used to sweep the mosque. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) missed her (or him) and inquired about her (or him). The people told him that she (or he) had died. He asked why they did not inform him, and it appears as if they had treated her (or him) or her (or his) affairs as of little account. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Lead me to her (or his) gtave. They led him to that place and he said prayer over her (or him) and then remarked: Verily, these graves are full of darkness for their dwellers. Verily, the Mighty and Glorious Allah illuminates them for their occupants by reason of my prayer over them.(Muslim : Book 4 , Hadith 2088 )

Usman radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"Indeed the grave is the first stopping place for the Hereafter; so if he is saved therein, then what comes after is easier than it. And if he is not saved there from, then that which comes after is harder." At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah,al-Haakim: Hasan)

This hadith mentions that the person will start his journey comfortably in grave if he is pious and will bear torment of grave if he is a sinner.

Similarly in another hadith Imam Abu Dawood ,Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Al Hakim narrates from Fadalah bin Ubaid radi Allahu anhu and Imam Ahmad narrates from Uqbah ibn Amir radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allaah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"Everyone who dies then his actions are sealed except for the one guarding the border in the way of Allah his actions continue to increase for him until the Day of Judgement and he is saved from the trials of the Grave." (Saheeh.)

This hadith clearly tells us that the person who struggled in the way of ALLAH he will get continuous benefits and rewards even before day of judgement.

In another hadith Kab ibn Malik radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"The souls of the believers (martyrs) are inside green birds in the trees of Paradise until Allah returns them to their bodies on the Day of Judgement." (At-Tabraanee in 'al kabeer)

This hadith clearly tells the reward of martyrs before the day of judgement.

In another hadith Umm Khalid bint Khalid ibn Saeed ibn al Aas radi Allaha anha narrates that the Messenger of Allaah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"Seek Allaah's protection from the Punishment of the Grave, since punishment of the Grave is a fact/true." ( At-Tabraanee in al-Kabeer :Saheeh)

This hadith once again tells that punishment of grave is a reality.

In another hadith Anas radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their footsteps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him: What did you used to say about this man, Muhammad? He will say: I testify that he is Allah's slave and His Apostle. Then it will be said to him, 'Look at your place in the Hell-Fire. Allaah has changed for you a place in Paradise instead of it.' The Prophet (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) added, "The dead person will see both his places. But a non-believer or a hypocrite will say to the angels, 'I do not know, but I used to say what the people used to say! It will be said to him, 'neither did you know nor did you take the guidance (from Quran and Sunnah).Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his ears, and he will cry and that cry will be heard by whatever approaches him except human beings and jinns." (Saheeh: Al-Bukhaaree (2/422), Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Daud, an-Nisaa.ee)

It means that punishment of grave is physical reality because their cries is listened by all the creations except human beings and Jinns.

In another hadith Abu hurairah radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"When the dead person is buried two black-blue angels come to him, one called al-Munkar and the other called an-Nakeer, and they say to him: 'What had you used to say about this man?' So he says what he used to say: 'Allah's slave and His Messenger, I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.' So they say: 'Indeed we knew that you (would) say that.' Then his grave is widened for him to the extent of seventy cubits by seventy, then it is made light for him, then it is said: ' Sleep.' So he says: 'I should go to my family and inform them.' So they say: 'Sleep as the newly married sleeps whom no-one awakes except his favourite wife.' Until Allah raises him up from that place of sleep. And if he is a hypocrite he says: 'I heard the people saying something so I said it too, I don't know.' So they say: 'We knew that you (would) say that.' So it is said to the earth: 'Crush him', so he is crushed until his cross over and he remains in the state of torture until Allah raises him up from that resting place." (At-Tirmidhee :Hasan)

This hadith indicates that pious person will sleep in a peaceful manner where as the hypocrite and non believer will be tortured continuously before the day of judgement.

In another hadith Al-Baraa bin Azib radi Allahu anhu narrates: We went out with the Prophet of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) accompanying the bier of a man of the Ansar. When he reached his grave, it was not yet dug. So the Prophet of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) sat down and we also sat down around him as if birds were over our heads. He had in his hand a stick by which he was scratching the ground. He then raised his head and said:

Seek refuge in Allaah from the punishment of the grave. He said it twice or thrice. The version of Jarir adds here: He hears the beat of their sandals when they go back, and at that moment he asked: O so and so! Who is your Lord, what is your religion, and who is your Prophet? Hannad's version has: Two angels will come to him, make him sit up, and ask him: Who is your Lord? He will reply: My Lord is Allah. They will ask him: What is your religion? He will reply: My religion is Islaam. They will ask him: What is your opinion about the man who was sent on a mission among you? He will reply: He is the Apostle of Allah. They will ask: Who made you aware of this? He will reply: I read Allah's Book, believed in it, and considered it true, which is verified by Allah's word: "Allah establishes those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world and the next." The agreed version goes: Then a crier will call from the heaven: My servant has spoken the truth, so spread a bed for him from Paradise, clothe him in Paradise, and open a door for him into Paradise. So some of its air and perfume will come to him, and a space will be made for him as far as the eye can see. He also mentioned the death of the infidel, saying: His spirit will be restored to his body, two angels will come to him, make him sit up and ask him: Who is your Lord? He will reply: Alas, alas! I do not know. They will ask him: What is your religion? He will reply: Alas, alas! I do not know. They will ask: Who is this man who was sent on a mission among you? He will reply: Alas, alas! I do not know. Then a crier will call from the heaven: He has lied, so spread a bed for him from Hell, clothe him from Hell and open for him a door into Hell. Then some of its heat and pestilential wind will come to him, and his grave will become restricted, so his ribs will be pressed together. Jarir's version adds: One who is blind and dumb will then be placed in charge of him, having a sledge hammer such that if a mountain were struck with it, it would become dust. He will give him a blow with it which will be heard by everything between the east and the west except by men and jinn, and he will become dust. Then his spirit will be restored to him. (Ahmad, Abu Dawud (3/4735) ,Ibn Khuzaimah, al-Haakim, al-Baihaqee 'Shu'ab ul-Imaan', ad-Diyaa :Saheeh)

The details mentioned in this hadith is indicating the punishment and reward of transgressors before the day of Judgement

In another hadith Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Salal laho aliehi wasalam) said:

"The righteous man sits in his grave and is not alarmed or afraid, then it is said to him (by angels): 'In (what state) were you?' So he says: 'In the (state of) Islam.' So it is said to him: 'What is this man?' So he says: 'Muhammad the Messenger of Allah who came to us with clear signs from Allah, so we believed that.' Then it is said to him: 'Have you seen Allah?' So he says: 'It does not behove any man that he sees Allaah.' So an opening is made for him in the direction of the Fire, so he sees it, some parts of it smashing into others, and it is said to him: 'Look at what Allah, the Exalted, has saved you from.' Then an opening is made for him in the direction of Paradise, and he looks to its brilliance and what is therein and it is said to him: 'This is your place.' And it is said to him: 'You were upon certain Faith and died upon it and upon it you will be raised up, if Allah wills.' And the wicked man sits in his grave alarmed and terrified and so it is said to him: 'In what state were you?' So he says: 'I do not know.' So it is said to him: 'Who is this man?' So he says: 'I heard the people saying something so I said it!' So an opening is made for him in the direction of Paradise and he sees its brilliance and what is therein, and it is said to him: 'Look at what Allah has refused you.' Then an opening is made for him in the direction of the Fire, so he sees it crashing against itself and it is said: 'This is your place, you lived upon doubt and died upon it and you will be raised up upon it, if it is Allah's will." ( Ibn Maajah ,Saheeh)

This hadith indicates that a pious man before going to paradise will see his destination in the grave and the sinner will see hell fire before the day of Judgement.

Conclusion:

It is proved both from Quran and authentic hadiths that punishment and reward of grave is a reality and the people who deny this reality actually deny the clear verses of Quran and authentic sayings of Rasool sala laho aliehi waslaam may Allah guide us all to right path and make us believe in all the realities mentioned in Quran and authentic hadiths.

Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer

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“I didn’t realise how time went by” — Ajmal Khan

The vice chancellor of Islamia College University Peshawar, who returned home after almost four years in Taliban's captivity, speaks about his time as a hostage

Ajmal Khan, the 65-year-old Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University Peshawar, returned home on August 28, 2014 after almost four years in the captivity of Taliban. He was kidnapped on September 8, 2010.

Ajmal Khan is the son of Obaidullah Khan and grandson of Abdul Jabbar Khan, commonly known as Dr Khan Sahib, who served as the chief minister of the North West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkwha) before Pakistan’s Independence. Dr Khan Sahib was the elder brother of freedom fighter Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly called Bacha Khan.

Ajmal Khan started teaching after completing his Masters in Economics. While teaching, he pursued his law degree at the historic Edwardes College in 1973. He has served as the Principal of Islamia College Peshawar and also as the Vice Chancellor of Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan.

He spoke to TNS in the presence of many guests who had come to felicitate him on his safe return home.

The News on Sunday (TNS): What were your feelings when you came to know about your release?

Ajmal Khan (AK): I was informed a few days before of the release. I was given the same indication twice or thrice in the past — but my release would not materialise. I had told myself not to believe in my release until I reached home. But, it turned out to be true this time.

I was so happy to see my family. I did not recognise some of my grandchildren and had to ask for their names. It is like getting a new life.

TNS: Can you recall the day of your abduction?

AK: I was leaving for office in the morning with my driver when a car drove in front of us just a short distance from my house. It stopped at the end of the street and some people swiftly came out of it. A man pointed a pistol at my driver and told him to sit in the back seat with me. Another man injected some substance in my left arm. My driver was given an injection in his right thigh. Our abductors drove us off quickly and the last thing I remember before I fell unconscious was someone putting a burqa on my head.

When I regained consciousness, it was afternoon and we were travelling in some mountainous area. At one point, we were made to walk and had to change two vehicles before arriving at a house later that evening at an unknown destination.

TNS: What were you told by your abductors on your arrival there?

AK: They said they had no enmity with me and that I was kidnapped for ransom. I did not know where we had been taken but later we came to know we were somewhere in South Waziristan Agency. I was shifted from one place to another. In the early days, I spent less than a week at one position, later I stayed up to five months at a particular place.

TNS: How were you treated during captivity?

AK: The kidnappers handed me over to the TTP. Initially I was confined to a single room. After some time, I was allowed to walk inside the house and at times even stroll outside. Things changed completely when my captors handed me over to fighters from the Khan Said Sajna group. His fighters told me to consider myself a free man with no restrictions. They called me “baba” out of respect and told me that I would be released once the situation in Waziristan was peaceful enough for me to safely go back home.

TNS: What happened to your previous captors who surrendered to Khan Said Sajna group?

AK: They had become friends as we spent a lot of time together. They were put in a tunnel-turned-prison after their surrender. I visited them occasionally and I used to pity them. It was unbelievable that once I was in their captivity and then I saw them behind bars — while I was almost a free man.

TNS: How did you keep yourself busy in detention?

AK: To tell you the truth, I didn’t realise how time went by so fast. I believe it is all due to the prayers of my well wishers. I kept myself busy in prayers, supplications and recitation of the holy Quran. I taught the holy Quran and elementary studies to some children for a few months before I was shifted to a different place.

TNS: Any incidents you would like to recall from your captivity?

AK: There are many interesting incidents. Once Hakimullah Mehsud asked me about my family and I told him I had five daughters and no son. Hakimullah and all his men kept silent for sometime before Hakimullah asked me if I would be interested in getting married in Waziristan — so I could have a son. I told him I am 61, and too old to get married. I also told him I might be going home soon. After many months though, I joked with my captors that I should have accepted the offer as I was not going home soon. I narrated this to my wife and daughters and it made them laugh.

Then there was a little boy who used to bring me goat milk. He started to come daily and listen to my recitation of the Quran. I asked him if he wanted to learn and he jumped at the offer. Before I was moved to a new place, the boy was into fourth ‘para’ of the Quran.

One day a Taliban told me that the boy’s mother had asked him if the money she could raise by selling her cattle head would be enough to pay for my freedom. I was moved that even people in the area of my captivity wanted my safe return.

TNS: Were you provided medicines for your heart disease and did you come across any life threatening heart issues during your captivity?

AK: I was regularly provided with my prescribed medicines. There were no doctors in the area. Luckily I did not experience any serious cardiac problems. However, I faced problems when there were delays in supply of medicine.

TNS: You still have some time left in your service. When do you intend to go back to work?

AK: I want to go back to work on September 8. It has been many years that I haven’t done teaching. I have 23 months left in the extension in service given to me and I want to spend each day of this time to spread knowledge.

TNS: Do you plan to write a book about your time in captivity?

AK: Yes, I want to write a book about the events of the past four years. I want to start work on it soon.

TNS: What in your view should be done for the areas where you were kept captive?

AK: The area and its people are poor. The government should focus on development of the infrastructure there. I wish that the light of education should spread in those areas. I remember many people told that the Pir Ghar mountain in their area is the highest in the world. They were amazed when I told them about Mount Everest and K2. Those people need education and in my capacity as Vice Chancellor Islamia College University I would try to have branch of Islamia College Peshawar set up there with the support of the government. If asked, I would step forward to take the initiative of educating the people of Waziristan.

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In conversation with Sajid Hussain Shah

 Director IT, Department of Science, Technology & Information Technology, Government of KPK

Q:  Tell us about the IT Directorate?

A: Directorate of Information Technology Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  was established in 2004 under the Department of Science and Technology & Information Technology  with a  vision  to enhance delivery of public services to citizens in an efficient and cost effective manner, improve the quality of government service and management, enhance the collaboration of the internal departments and the interactions between the government and the public, optimize the government business process, , and finally to construct an honest, diligent, transparent and efficient government using information and communication technology.

Q: What are the key points or functions of IT directorate of KPK?

A: The objectives or functions of Directorate of IT can be divided into four major categories, which are

a.       Promotion of IT literacy, awareness and Human Resource Development in KP region

2. Establishment & Implementation of E- Government Infrastructure and initiatives
3. Promotion of Local Software Industry in KP and its related activities
4. Promotion of ICT related Research and development activities

As you know that Information and communication technology (ICT) is playing an increasingly important role in the work and personal lives of peoples. To promote IT literacy, awareness and capacity building of IT graduates the Directorate of IT has planned and initiated following initiatives which would be completed phase wise; A comprehensive IT training/literacy/capacity-building plan has been prepared. It has been observed that fresh IT graduates do not possess the market oriented professional skills and could not be absorbed in national/international IT markets. To bridge this gap professional skill development program has been started and an IT Excellence Center has been established in Deans Trade Center for Professional Skill enhancement for fresh and unemployed IT Graduates. In next 3 years 15000 young graduates will be trained on market oriented skills, To promote IT in true sense the work on establishment of IT University has been started., All the High schools/Colleges will be equipped with computer labs and computer course will be started from High Schools level, Massive IT awareness campaign would be launched shortly to update the masses of the region for the use of this technology, Courses for soft technical skills would be arranged for other than IT graduates.

 Q: What is the current progress of IT in KPK and how the KPK student is benefitting from the work of IT department?

A: We have implemented more than 20 IT projects till now. I would like to discuss few of them.

•       Computerized setup for Driving Licenses completed and functional throughout the province

•       Property taxes computerized at Peshawar and extended to other districts

•       Computerization of Land Record of one Revenue Halqa in Peshawar completed and business process being examined for change

•       Lady Reading Hospital computerization being finalized

•       Computer Software finalized for staff record, recruitments, promotion, posting transfers and infrastructure.

•       All recordkeeping  in Provincial Assembly  has been  computerized

•       IT Excellence Center has been established for preparing  IT graduates  from Universities for Entrepreneurship

•       Computerization of public service commission is being carried out.

KPK students are getting many benefits. More than 300 fresh IT graduates have been trained in IT Excellence Center and they have secured very good jobs in the market. There is another program for free IT Certifications like MCIT, OCP, CISCO for IT graduates. Also another huge training program is under way in which more than 15000 graduates would be trained on market demanded skills. We are also encouraging un employed IT graduates to be make their career as an IT entrepreneur and start their own IT business for which government would provide required funds in shape of grants and subsidies.

Q: What is your department doing for promoting IT industry in KPK?

A: As, I have stated that we are trying to equip the government departments with IT. We want to promote IT all over KPK and Pakistan. A major milestone that we’re working on is the establishment of Information Technology Park. In fact this will be the major hub of IT related activities and commerce. Government has already funded one billion rupees for this. This IT Park will be in Deans Trade Center, Peshawar. All the software houses will come under the umbrella of IT department. They’ll be provided with space and free electricity and we will support them, if they need our professional programmers or help in any other way.

Q: If I have done a project, how can I sell it in market through you people?

A. It’s quite easy these days, through our IT Park you can sell any of your small or large projects in the market. Moreover, you can visit our website.

Q: How to involve the students with IT?

  A: There are many opportunities; skillful students are the demand of the market, but the unskilled students are also trained as I discussed previously. There were many jobs and internships this year. The students are only required to be in touch with IT and other computer subjects.

Different projects are out there in the market. We train young professionals and introduce them to IT market. IT Parks are there and it has a condition that is 75 percent of the employees will be from KPK. The students studying IT and Computer Science should not lose their hope due to unemployment and other problems. The future is theirs.

Q: what are the challenges that IT industry faces, especially in Pakistan?

 A: The many challenges faced by IT and IT-enabled services industries In Pakistan includes uninterrupted power supply, reliable and fast bandwidth, however our biggest challenge is the Pakistan’s international image, issue which can be tackled by the nation as a whole, to project our positive image to the world .Actually the Geo-political instability creates a constant brain drain, which results in the lack of local and foreign investors’ confidence. As many foreign companies are reluctant to do business with Pakistan-based IT companies ,despite knowingly that we can deliver high quality services at a much lower cost. Most importantly, the incredible irresponsible attitude of the Government and the lack of dedicated technology parks, which can become the hubs of IT-related activities and commerce. It is the need of the hours to eradicate corruption from public and private sector organization, for this the computerize system is required, as it brings transparency, accountability, Integrity, and non-repudiation to any system. So, many of the officials feel reluctant to implement this finger click system ant act like a barrier at all.

 Q: what’s your opinion about the current syllabus and teaching methodology at under graduate level in Universities?

A: I’m not happy with the current syllabus and teaching methodology at all; first, there is Lack of software and hardware equipment, Computer laboratories were available with software and

Internet facilities; however, the provision is less than robust, secondly there is an Absence of research strategy , although potential exists, thirdly the  Inexperience of teaching staff ; Lecturers are mostly fresh graduates without, or with minimal, industrial experience. They know the theory well but lack the understanding of practical issue, fourthly, there is no arrangement of Staff training and short internal courses to be kept updated. Fifthly, no enough attention is paid to the Student presentations. And lastly there is no career counseling department to guide and direct students to market, the need to establish link between market and Institution is more important than ever. These all are the ground level issue and need to be addressed. How ever the HEC and IT ministry is trying to play there due role in resolving these issue by Setting up strategies Thus, the will is there and signs are good,

Web Address:

http://www.khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk/department/ itec/ 

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