On January 11, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that providing Pakistani youth with internationally recognised education and training in Information Technology remains a key government priority, as part of broader efforts to make Pakistan a regional IT hub. He also issued directives following a fatal cylinder accident in Islamabad, calling for immediate medical care for the injured and a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting with Samina Amjad and Amjad Karim Randhawa, the parents of the late IT expert Arfa Karim Randhawa. Chief Executive of the Arfa Karim Foundation, Tabinda Islam, was also present. During the meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed the establishment of the foundation, which aims to promote IT development, and assured the government’s full support for its programmes.

He said the government was actively encouraging young people to pursue IT education and skills training, while also promoting entrepreneurship within the sector. The Prime Minister stated that equipping youth with education and training aligned with international standards was among the government’s top priorities. He further noted that the federal government was distributing laptops to high-performing students as part of initiatives to support academic achievement.

Paying tribute to Arfa Karim Randhawa, the Prime Minister acknowledged her significant contributions to the IT sector at a young age and her role in bringing international recognition to Pakistan. He added that, in recognition of her services, the IT Tower in Lahore had been renamed the Arfa Karim Tower. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the IT sector and positioning Pakistan as a regional technology hub.