Parliamentary Panel Chairman Accuses IT Ministry of Taking Credit for Freelancers’ Success
By Tanveer Ahmed :
A senior member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom has launched a blistering attack on the Ministry of Information Technology, accusing officials of falsely claiming credit for growth in IT exports that rightfully belongs to the country’s hardworking freelancers.
During a tense committee meeting, Dr Zulfiqar Bhatti expressed frustration with what he described as misleading government narratives about the ministry’s role in the sector’s recent performance.
Credit Where It’s Due
Dr Zulfiqar stated unequivocally that the government has no right to claim success in IT exports, pointing instead to freelancers working day and night as the true drivers of growth. He declared that he was exhausted by repeated claims about the IT Ministry’s alleged role and performance, suggesting such assertions do not reflect reality on the ground.
Pakistan’s IT exports have shown encouraging growth in recent months, with the government highlighting the sector as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging economic landscape. However, the committee member challenged the official narrative about who deserves credit for this performance.
Ministry’s Defense Rejected
The IT Secretary attempted to deflect criticism by arguing that the private sector drives IT exports worldwide, suggesting this is not unique to Pakistan. Dr Zulfiqar immediately dismantled this defense, questioning how the ministry is actually encouraging the private sector if it accepts no role in driving exports.
He highlighted that IT investors continue facing severe roadblocks and receive virtually zero support from authorities, contradicting the ministry’s claims of facilitating sector growth.
Personal Experience Cited
To substantiate his accusations of negligence, Dr Zulfiqar shared his own experience with the parliamentary panel. He stated that he personally submitted several proposals for IT projects and even called the IT Secretary directly to discuss them, yet received absolutely no response.
The revelation drew attention to what committee members described as a pattern of unresponsiveness from ministry officials toward stakeholders seeking to contribute to sector development.
Broader Context
The heated exchange reflects growing parliamentary scrutiny of government claims about IT sector performance amid persistent complaints from industry stakeholders about regulatory hurdles and lack of institutional support.
Freelancers and IT companies have repeatedly called for streamlined regulations, better payment gateway facilities, and more responsive government departments to help them compete effectively in international markets.
The committee’s proceedings underscore tensions between official narratives celebrating IT sector growth and ground realities reported by those actually driving the numbers.
About Author
