Secretary IT directs PSEB to ensure close coordination with IT industry to minimize impact of Covid-19 on it.
Federal Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui has directed the management of Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to ensure close coordination with the IT industry to minimize the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on it and take all possible steps for providing maximum facilitation and assistance to the industry during these challenging times. Federal Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication chaired a meeting to review steps being taken to minimize the Covid-19 pandemic related impact on Pakistan’s information technology industry. The meeting was attended by senior Ministry officials, Managing Director - Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and Chairman - Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). The chair was apprised that in order to ensure business continuity of BPO-Call Centers, a working group was created to handle associated issues in a rapid and effective manner. The said working group includes senior representatives from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Pakistan Telecom Authority, Pakistan Software Houses Association and Pakistan Software Export Board. The task force has managed to mitigate or minimize urgent issues pertaining to BPO-Call Center Industry such as whitelisting of call centers and enabling work from home for call center agents. Efforts are being made to enable usage of soft phones which would facilitate smaller companies and freelancers. The meeting was apprised that Pakistan Software Export Board has appointed a dedicated team which can be reached at covid@pseb.org.pk and on Skype ID: cs-noc1@skype.com. PSEB has also established a Covid help line (0800 03030) and is taking calls 24/7 from the industry, making sure that all possible efforts are made for immediate remedial actions wherever possible.