PASHA Appeals to Government: Spare IT Services from Smart Lockdown in Punjab
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA) has called on the Punjab government to reconsider its decision to include IT services in the smart lockdown, expressing concerns about the potential adverse effects on IT exporters and related businesses. PASHA emphasized the crucial role of the IT sector in Pakistan's economic growth and requested an immediate exemption for IT companies from the lockdown. The association stressed the potential financial losses, damage to Pakistan's international image, and the long-term impact on foreign IT investments if the restrictions are not revised promptly.
Karobar
LAHORE: In a formal letter addressed to Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and relevant government agencies, PASHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan highlighted the significant role played by the IT and IT-Enabled Services (ITES) sector in Pakistan's economic growth. Designated as an essential service, this sector not only contributes substantially to the country's exports but also enhances Pakistan's global reputation as a hub for technological innovation and service excellence.
Khan emphasized that the current order poses a substantial threat to the IT sector, potentially disrupting IT exports. The restricted movement in key IT export hubs could lead to operational halts, jeopardizing international client commitments and resulting in significant financial losses and contractual penalties.
Furthermore, Khan pointed out that such restrictions would harm Pakistan's international image as a reliable IT service provider. The interruption in services could erode trust among global clients, prompting them to seek alternatives in other countries, leading to short-term business losses and a potential reduction in foreign IT investments in the long run.
To address these concerns, PASHA urged the Punjab government to promptly issue an addendum to the notification, excluding IT exporters, call centers, and related businesses from the smart lockdown. The association recommended allowing IT companies to continue operations under stringent health safety protocols, aligning with the practices implemented during the pandemic.
While expressing solidarity with the government's commitment to public health, PASHA emphasized that a broad restriction inadvertently affecting essential services would be counterproductive. The association called for the government's urgent intervention to prevent a potential crisis that could have lasting negative consequences for one of Pakistan's most dynamic and promising economic sectors.
