ISLAMABAD
\nHuawei has shown interest in replicating its \u201csmart village\u201d programme in Gilgit-Baltistan, aiming to improve digital connectivity and promote technology-driven development in the remote mountainous region.
\nThe proposal was discussed during a meeting between Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Information GB Ghulam Abbas and Ahmed Bilal Masud, Chief Executive Officer for AI and Cloud Business at Huawei Pakistan, held in Islamabad.
\nAs per details, the minister highlighted longstanding internet connectivity issues in GB, particularly in far-flung districts where limited bandwidth and infrastructure gaps have constrained educational, commercial and freelance opportunities.
\nHe invited Huawei to collaborate with the regional government to strengthen broadband infrastructure and introduce modern IT solutions tailored to the area\u2019s geographical challenges.
\nMr Masud assured the minister of Huawei\u2019s support in various sectors, including mining, business development and digital transformation initiatives.
\nHe proposed a formal partnership with the GB government to equip young people with training in advanced IT solutions, with a special focus on artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and emerging digital technologies.
\nAs part of the proposal, Huawei suggested establishing an IT park in smaller districts of GB to nurture startups, freelancers and small technology firms. For this purpose, Mr Masud requested the allocation of a suitable building \u2014 preferably government-owned \u2014 to serve as a technology incubation and training centre.
\nReferring to Huawei\u2019s \u201csmart village\u201d initiative implemented in different parts of the country, including the federal capital Islamabad, Mr Masud said the model could be adapted to GB\u2019s unique terrain.
\nThe programme envisages provision of high-speed internet at selected schools, community centres and public facilities, enabling students and local entrepreneurs to access digital platforms, online education and e-commerce services.
\nHe, however, cautioned against offering professional services entirely free of cost. \u201cExperience suggests that free services may reduce the incentive to build sustainable businesses. Instead, the government may consider subsidising costs to facilitate deserving individuals while maintaining a market-driven approach,\u201d he observed.
\nDuring the meeting, the minister was informed that IT professionals from GB constitute the largest single group employed at Huawei\u2019s Oman branch \u2014 a development seen as indicative of the region\u2019s growing human resource potential in the technology sector.
\nMr Abbas said the GB government was committed to creating an enabling environment for digital growth and would hold a series of consultations with local IT professionals, freelancers and business stakeholders to identify priority areas.
\nHe said their recommendations would be formally shared with Huawei\u2019s management to shape a structured cooperation framework.
\nOfficials said improved connectivity, coupled with structured training and public-private partnerships, could help integrate GB more effectively into the national digital economy while generating employment opportunities for its youth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Huawei has shown interest in replicating its \u201csmart village\u201d programme in Gilgit-Baltistan, aiming to improve digital connectivity and promote technology-driven development in the remote mountainous region. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Information GB Ghulam Abbas and Ahmed Bilal Masud, Chief Executive Officer for AI and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":126485,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-533162","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n