E-Commerce Sector Goes Together to Give Relieve for Online Customer

To make a feasible e-commerce ecosystem in the country, Daraz is coming into a plan collaboration with Traction Control System. In this e-commerce organization, this is a natural collaboration where the largest e-commerce platform connects hands with the one of the biggest logistics company in the country, function together to increase and upgrade the customer experience.

In the energetic economy of Pakistan, many professions over the pandemic have transferred towards trading online to maintain their businesses alive. This has a direct association with the development in the logistical fields as enhance in orders impacts the uplift of remittance. Globally, people have adjusted to this craze and have established themselves in the improving e-commerce industry.

CEO of TCS Private Limited Group said that the biggest issues are still around the foundation. Traction Control System has historically supported most of the value of financing and improving the sector because these means are only now developing and the aircraft affordability which in mostly the groundwork

From our viewpoint, the digital modification is the biggest move that we used in the four-decade journey that we had. It is significant to have real-time visibility of not just our system but our last-mile directs, heroes who have derived a massive change. We have also faced a major nimble development by improving by thirty per cent this year. As an express company, we take responsibility for our system which assists in organizing the dynamics of the quality of service supplied, He added more.

COVID has forced different businesses to discover different platforms to trade online. According to the data issued by the State Bank of Pakistan, the country’s e-commerce business has observed a year-on-year development of seventy-eight point one per cent in volume and thirty-three point three percent in value in the revenue year of 2020. At Daraz, the increase of sellers enhanced by more than fifty per cent which indicates the countrywide adaptability of digitalization.

Chief Operating Officer of Daraz mentioned that E-commerce is improving at a very fast pace now significantly after COVID-19 and one of the top challenges in the development has been administration and its groundwork in our country. When we initiated with Daraz, the already existing organization infrastructure was established for cover delivery which does not envelope the tricky process of an e-commerce delivery specifically cash on delivery, fast delivery, and invert journey.

He added that Daraz performed a major role in developing this by launching DEX which is a customized e-commerce courier delivering sixty per cent of Daraz bundle and in this journey the already having leaders like Traction Control System performed a vital role. We think lucky and proud to have them by outside as a plan collaboration in resolving this problem.

The groundbreaking rise in total market sales may occur as a surprise thinking the coronavirus pandemic’s negative hit on in-store shopping. These important shifts need a demand for refined infrastructure for manipulation companies in Pakistan.

This has had a positive influence on businesses that improved to digital transformation. It has original economics which directs this journey as the cost sustained for an individual family are enhanced by giving rationalized arrangement service to them.

PITB to Render Citizen Contact Center Services to TEVTA

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) has signed a contract to upgrade TEVTA’s customer services through PITB’s Citizen Contact Center (CCC). The contract was signed by Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor and Chairman TEVTA Ali Salman Siddique at Arfa Software Technology Park. PITB DG e-Governance Sajid Latif, DG Procurement (TEVTA) Amir Aziz and other senior officials from both organizations were present at the ceremony.

According to the contract, CCC would render 9AM to 5PM services to general public to address their queries, complaints and suggestions related to TEVTA. CCC would also provide toll free helpline available on 0800 83882. Through this contract TEVTA aims to cater the concerns of the youth in order to educate and empower them through TEVTA’s technical and vocational services. PITB’s CCC is the first government-to-citizen (G2C) contact center offering a number of services to various including SMS messages, Robo Calls and Live Agents Calls. With TEVTA on board, CCC is now offering services to 30 government departments across Punjab.

Pakistan Post suggested as the delivery Partner of Amazon

The list of global e-commerce enormous Amazon’s delivery contributors for parcels within the country has suggested adjoining Pakistan Post. Pakistan is supposed to add Amazon sellers’ list hardly in a week. Although, after the adding of Amazon seller list than Pakistani sellers would have to concentrate on the standard of their products.

The commodity sold will be revert able in case of any objection. The joint secretary of commerce said to Media that great initiative was took in the regard of Amazons’ seller list after Eid ul Fitr. She added that those who do not make sure the standard of their products would have their Amazon seller account terminated or closed.

A few days ago stated by Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce that new opportunities are coming for the youth of country and small and medium enterprises in form of Amazon that was going to join Pakistan in its Seller list within a few days.

Being one of the largest manufacturing economies in the region despite Pakistan is only South Asian nation which is not entered in the list of one hundred and two countries on Amazon’s plans. Even last year, Pakistan ranked one hundred and sixteen in the one hundred and fifty two nations B2c E-commerce indicator of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. Ultimately, we have reached it. However, Amazon will be joining Pakistan to its Sellers List within a few days as per tweet of Adviser of Prime Minister on Commence. He added that it is a marvelous chance for our youth, Small and Medium Enterprises and also women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, he added that Amazon’s listing was a significant breakthrough of government e-commerce plan which has been gotten by teamwork.

Amazon has a listing of about twelve million products across all its classification and services as per the Chief Executive Officer of the Si Global Amazon .The Amazon’s share in United States e-commerce market is about forty five percent which can be investigated in an open competitive environment. He added that it is a big opportunity for Pakistani product manufactures.

According to digital media marketer said that the Amazon reform was not only good news for freelancers and business community were also over enjoyed. Job opportunities in Pakistan will enhance and small and big business men will be able to avail advantages from it with the coming of Amazon in Pakistan. According to e-Commerce and digital media manager said that e-commerce sector will also blare.

PITB and S&IT Department Balochistan all set to promote Freelancing Training in Balochistan: Agreement Signed

In a ceremony held at Arfa Software Technology Park on 5th May 2021, an agreement was signed between Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Science and IT (S&IT) Department of Balochistan to set up ‘DIGIBIZZ Freelancing & Entrepreneurship Program’ in Balochistan. The agreement was signed by PITB DG e-Governance Sajid Latif and DG S&IT Irfan Nawaz Memon. Officials from both organizations attended this ceremony including Director IT Trainings S&IT Jawad Ahmad, Senior Program Manager PITB Ahmad Islam and the freelancing wing of PITB.

A project of S&IT to train the youth of Balochistan in Freelancing, the initiative will be executed in collaboration with PITB. The project will commence with the provision of freelancing training to over 2000 students across the province.

In a message, Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor committed to extending his full support to the cause of youth empowerment and termed this agreement as a major step towards the digital empowerment of Balochistan.

DG S&IT Irfan Nawaz Memon stated that engaging the youth in the ever-expanding digital era would prove to be hugely beneficial for the prosperity of Balochistan. Moreover, it will generate lucrative opportunities for them to earn and sustain their livelihood.

Amazon choose Pakistan to the Approval Selling Countries List

Finally, Amazon choose Pakistan to the Approval Selling Countries List. However, 12 to 24 hours might require for this process to finalize and running. Using Pakistani details, Pakistani can make an account.

Behind this incredible achievement: the standing ovation to the struggle of the people, Omer Gajial is Ex Amazon Category Development Head for Amazon North America division, next Aisha Moriani who is Joint Secretary, and Ministry of Commerce, and next comes the Deputy Consul General, Consulate General Pakistan, Los Angeles whose name is Shoaib Sarwar. Along with Badar Khushnood from the Pakistan Software Houses Association and the team members of the National Ecommerce Council (NECC), and few others.

No doubt, their day and night working and struggle to prove fruitful in adding Pakistan to the approval sellers list of Amazon. In short, their hard work has paid off!

Furthermore, this achievement will definitely prove a game-changer element into a new era of economic growth because now the more sellers will visit this platform of Amazon than ever before.

Recently, Abdul Razak Dawood, who is the Adviser to the Prime Minister on the Commerce and Investment, emphasized that in recent years the trend of e-commerce had boosted up with the easy accessibility and the development of the internet.

The importance of e-commerce had boosted up drastically due to Covid’s pandemic, manifold, and making it an extremely vital sector for the economy.

Pakistan has chosen in the approval list of Amazon’s sellers, one should need to pray for it and hope that it may prove in the positive direction for the development of Pakistan.

Now, here is to the hoping that the Pakistanis may not pull a Daraz into Amazon!

PITB to Support LWCM to Automate Waste Management Operations

A meeting was held at Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) regarding ICT initiatives for Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC).

The meeting was presided by Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor and CEO LWCM Imran Ali Sultan. PITB DG e- Governance Sajid Latif and other officials from both the organizations were also present at the meeting.
While discussing different areasof collaboration, special emphasis was laid on the implementation of ICT interventions to streamline the waste management operations of Lahore.

“PITB will look into developing a model for automating waste management operations for better staff monitoring, vehicle tracking as well as staff attendance through IRIS (retina based) scanners,” Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor commented.

CEO LWMC Imran Ali Sultan appreciated PITB’s filing and office automation solution (e-FOAS) implemented at LWMC. He also discussed the upgradation of the existing LWMC helpline 1139 to include consumer complaints regarding waste disposal. This helpline shall be managed by PITB’s Citizen Contact Center (CCC).

PITB-Chirp will Work together to Transform Lahore into Smart City: MoU Signed

Lahore: April 1, 2021:

In order to transform Lahore into a Smart City, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Arfa Software Technology Park between Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Chirp Technologies for designing and implementation of Propriety LoRaWAN Infrastructure for the connectivity of IOT Devices across Lahore.

This Network will be used for real time monitoring and management of Smart city applications like Waste Bin Sensors, Street Light Sensors, Air Quality Sensors, Mobility Applications and other related smart city applications. The MoU was signed by PITB Director General IT-Operations Mr. Faisal Yousaf and CEO Chirp Technologies Mr. Asif Hussain in the presence of other officials.

IT Taxation Issue raised with FBR and Finance Ministry by MOITT

The Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom is going to tackle

The issue of the withdrawal of tax exemption from the IT sectors and IT-enabled service sector. Such as the sectors of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Ministry of Finance to alter the proposed tax through the Amendment Bill 2021 submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat.

On Monday while addressing a news conference at the Islamabad Press Club, Burqan Saeed gives a statement, who is the Chairman Pakistan Software Houses Association. He said that the concerned Ministry, IT Task Force, IT industry, and any stakeholder wasn’t consulted or informed before taking such an enormous step for hampering the expansion of the IT sector. Furthermore, the industry has written a letter to the FBR to offer time for this significant export sector. Thus the Ministry of IT’s also confirmed that it might approach the FBR for reversal of their decision.

Moreover, He requested the Prime Minister of Pakistan: Imran Khan that he should intervene and must stop the authorities from imposing the taxes on the IT exports via the Bill that has proposed.

Burqan Saeed also regretted such an issue by saying that it is not a good fortune that the FBR has not taken any input from the IT sector or relevant Ministry before taking such a serious anti-export measure. Such kind of sudden act will stop the new investment and definitely resulted in a decrease in the export sector of IT.

President and CEO InfoTech Private Limited, Nadeem A Akhtar said that such kind of sudden changes in tax policies wouldn’t only daunt the new investors. However, it would also cause colossal damage to the expansion of the trajectory of existing players as well.

Not like the traditional export sectors (for instance, Textile or others), the IT Sector, is that the only sector which never asked for or availed any kind of subsidies, incentives or rewards. For instance, they never ask for a reduction in electricity and gas tariff or cash rebates. Furthermore, Nadeem added that it will put a negative impact on IT exports growth.

Burqan commented that a complex kind of tax crediting system that is going to introduce will result in unnecessary documentation for the IT sector. The Commissioner Inland Revenue also shared the same kind of views regarding this. Furthermore, there is no doubt that under the draft Bill, such harsh conditions of documentation are asked that it might not be possible to hunt decrease from the tax officials. Possibly, the IT sector would start receiving notices like other sectors.

If we refer to the conditions of the decrease the scheme, he said that the conditions like filing off the condition for filing the tax returns and withholding statements haven’t any link with the IT exports. The IT sector is already facing heavy taxation at the time of input, this can clearly be noticed by keeping this report in view; that 19.5 % provincial nuisance tax, 12.5 % advance tax, and 10 % activation charges that were promised to be reduced gradually. No doubt that IT’s Ministry and other ministries are quite supportive and have given futuristic challenges, which are being faced by the IT sector.

He stated that the IT service sector has given record export growth even during the pandemic with a 40 % increase in the year 2019-2020. Besides the on target to exceed 2 billion dollars by the top of this fiscal year. No doubt, that is it’s understood that the passage of the Finance Bill within the same form would stop the IT sector from gaining the said targets.

He urged Prime Minister I.K for taking immediate action, and invite industry stakeholders to debate our concerns, and discourage any such proposals. The reason is that it will hamper industry growth.

Chairman Pakistan Software Houses Association also commented that the Govt. intended to require IT fields into the decrease regime that has failed within the case of NGOs (non-governmental organizations).

Bangladesh Taking as instance he said that that the IT sector has not only been granted tax exemption, no doubt, however, there was an addition as well and which 10 percent cash rebates /rewards in Bangladesh. On contrary, the replacement of exemption through the process of decreasing the scheme would only result in harassment to the IT sector through the hands of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.

One of the most important he claimed that if the IT sector is no going to be facilitated regarding the taxation matters, then the people will move to other countries such as Bangladesh.

He also put a very deep questioned that how would-be freelancers and little IT service providers will stay in the field on a longer term basis; they will become unable to rent tax consultants for maintaining documents under the proposed decrease scheme.

Burqan Saeed said that the documentation of the IT sector is quite clear along with the very fact that everyone has to first register with the Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). After that with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as well, and everyone with the provincial nuisance tax authorities. In addition to that, people must have to register with the social security/EOBI/ disability program. After registration, they have to operate under the provincial laws and stamp tax and pay local taxes. Now those registered persons are bound to propose IT-enabled services and the tax thereon.

Although, the FBR’s approach regarding Tax Treatment has oriental for the sake of expansion in the IT sectors; its police are also aimed at increasing the revenue through all means. According to the lasts news regarding the withdrawal of tax Exemption on replacing with a decrease Scheme and the export of IT services. However, the decrease in the subject for fulfilling many conditions such as full filing the tax holder’s statements and the tax returns. All these things will put negative impacts on the IT exports growth trend

Thus there remains no justification for asking the industry to file nuisance tax returns. Other than that the nuisance tax on services may be an outside FBR’s domain and a provincial subject.

How Women-centric Events Empower Women and Why You Should Attend Them

In the past 5 years, there has been an increase of women in STEM fields in Pakistan. However, the gender gap is still significant and much work needs to be done in order to encourage women to enter, stay and grow in different science and technology fields. Women-centric events such as Women Tech Quest (5^th edition to be held on April 3, 2021) play a key role in women empowerment and contributing in the overall growth of the tech industry.

Women-centric and women-led technology events bring together unique resources and opportunities for women. Here are six ways they empower women and why you should be a part of them.

1) Identify Your Allies

Career opportunities are often very different for women, as they have to juggle managing family and work-life balance. Tech companies that organize/sponsor/endorse women events are clearly committed to empowering and enabling women in technology. When you attend a women-centric event, you get to identify these companies, and you can later potentially partner with them for different initiatives, or even work for them and advance your career!

2) Engage in healthy competition

Events that host contests and competitions are an excellent platform to engage in healthy competition. They teach you how to be more focused on the task and not only complete it quickly, but also accurately. Tech competitions like WTQ which focus on multiple areas such as coding, testing and design are an excellent platform to build and test your strategy, composure and execution.

3) Connect with Influential Women

Women-centric events invite influential women as speakers/panelists. Attending such events provide a chance to connect with these women and learn from what they have to say. Their experiences and journey can help challenge and improve your perspective, better understand your strengths and weakness, and inspire you to invest more in your growth.

4) Network with the Right People

Networking plays an important role in advancing your career, especially when moving towards leadership roles. Women-centric competitions and conferences enable you to connect with like-minded seniors and peers. Events like Women Tech Quest allow you to branch out, form new relationships and strengthen existing ones.

5) Content that Resonates With Women

Women-centric events bring forward topics that resonate better with women. Speaker sessions, and especially panel discussions, are a great way to ignite candid conversations about different issues that affect women at work. They encourage dialogue regarding diversity and inclusion, and give a platform for women to express their opinion freely.

6) Celebrate and Champion Women

Women-centric events are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and aspirations of professional women. They provide a platform to learn from trailblazer women, inspire your peers and juniors, and improve your own skills.

If you are a woman in tech and wish to showcase your technical and analytical skills – be it through coding, testing, or design – sign up for Women Tech Quest 2021! Held online, the competition is for women across Pakistan. It is absolutely free to participate in, and offers all the benefits mentioned above – plus exciting cash prizes and giveaways. Registrations are currently open, so sign up now!

To register and for more info: https://www.womentechquest.com/

PITB hands over e-Transfer & Posting Module to Federal Government Educational Institutions

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)

Has handed over e-Transfer and Posting Module to Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEI Cantt & Garrisons). e-Transfer and Posting Module would be a major milestone in achieving transparency and following meritocracy in the present system aiming to improve efficiency through the automation of manual and repetitive tasks.

Besides the resolution of seniority issues and the implementation of policies, the module would be a leap towards paperless offices and e-Governance. Developed by PITB, e-Transfer and Posting Module is currently in the testing phase and is expected to launch for complete functionality for purposes later this month.