Chief minister Punjab underlines IT promotion

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that promotion of information technology is the need of the hour and the Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme in this regard. He also said IT labs have been set up in 4,200 schools for the first time in the country's history with the co-operation of international companies and students from Rahimyar Khan to Attock are getting awareness of national and international issues.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting with Microsoft's Istanbul representative Jeffrey Avina here on Monday, disclosed an official. Punjab Information Technology Board Chairman Javed Ghani, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority and officers concerned were also present.

Talking to the Microsoft representative, the Chief Minister said the dream of rapid progress can only be materialised by imparting modern education to the new generation. He also said developed nations have achieved progress with the help of information technology and all possible steps are being taken for the promotion of IT in the province and an agreement has also been signed with Microsoft.

According to him, the Punjab government will set up an IT Park and land will be provided to the interested company free of cost. Microsoft will also arrange free training of students as well as government officers, which will be beneficial to the students as well as result in capacity building of government departments.

Rehabilitation of the flood affected areas is being carried out with the help of information technology and Microsoft is providing a software 'Eagle' to the PDMA for this purpose. He also praised the services of Jeffery Avina for the promotion of IT in the province.

The Punjab Information Technology Board Chairman informed the meeting about the progress made on Eagle technology agreement. He said that experts of Eagle will arrive in Lahore in a couple of days. Jeffery Avina gave details of the agreement between Microsoft and the Punjab government.