The upcoming sixth meeting of the apex committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) will address six significant agenda points related to the Ministry of IT & Telecom. This important gathering will convene at the Prime Minister’s House under the leadership of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar.

The agenda points encompass key areas within the Ministry of IT and Telecom, including:

1. 5G Auction: Discussions will revolve around the auction of 5G spectrum and any hurdles that may be impeding its timely allocation.
2. High Tech IT HR & Freelancers: The meeting will review steps taken to enhance the skills and facilitate freelancers in the high-tech IT sector.
3. Digital Payment Solutions: The agenda includes updates on efforts made to introduce digital payment solutions in Pakistan.
4. Venture Capital Fund: Deliberations will center on the establishment and operation of a venture capital fund.
5. Virtual Special Technology Zones (STZs): The meeting will explore the establishment of virtual STZs, which are vital for the technology sector’s growth.
6. National Space Policy and Rules: Discussions will touch upon the formulation of a national space policy and related regulations.

Additionally, the State Bank of Pakistan will provide insights into digitization efforts and measures taken to enhance foreign exchange retention for IT companies.

The Ministry of IT and Telecom has already submitted a summary to the federal cabinet regarding the constitution of the spectrum auction committee. This meeting will address any challenges hindering the early auction of 5G spectrum and spectrum allocation.

The Ministry of IT & Telecom has allocated a fund of Rs. 10 billion for the training of HR in the IT sector, aiming to train 100,000 individuals in IT over a two-year period.

Efforts are underway to bring international payment gateways such as PayPal and Stripe to Pakistan. Negotiations with these platforms are ongoing, with the aim of facilitating digital payments in the country.

To address infrastructure challenges faced by freelancers, the government plans to establish 5,000 e-employment centers across the nation, backed by a 50 billion rupee project that will provide interest-free loans.

The government is also collaborating with partners and donors to create a 100 billion rupee venture capital fund, which will support startups and fintech ventures, bolstering the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The apex committee meeting of SIFC was originally scheduled for October 2 but was subsequently rescheduled. Caretaker Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Umar Saif extended his visit to Saudi Arabia, leading to the change in the meeting’s date.