A year on from the ousting of Assad

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  Damascus, Syria — “Hold your head high, you’re a free Syrian.” The refrain of this Arabic song—now widely embraced as the unofficial anthem of a new Syria—echoes throughout Damascus. It blares from market loudspeakers, rings out during celebrations in the central square, and is even sung by the man offering traditional coffee to new arrivals at the airport. For decades, many Syrians lived with lowered gazes under the authoritarian rule of the Al-Assad family. The regime maintained an expansive surveillance system in which the feared Mukhabarat , the intelligence network, kept the population in check. Remaining silent was often the safest choice—until the Arab Spring ignited an uprising, and Assad’s fierce response plunged the nation into a ten-year civil war. Today, Syrians are openly and energetically marking the first anniversary of what they regard as their liberation from Assad’s government. The celebration follows a rapid rebel offensive on December 8 last year, led by fo...
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IT firms shift focus to Middle East, Europe

 



KARACHI:
 Entrepreneurs are looking into new markets like the Middle East and Europe as the United States cuts back on investment in Pakistan's IT companies. In order to meet the changing requirements of European markets, where opportunities in automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart systems are rapidly expanding, Pakistan's IT industry must urgently reskill its workforce. Experts warn that Pakistan risks missing out on high-value outsourcing contracts and strategic partnerships in the region unless local software and IT companies improve their human resource capabilities. They emphasize that the skill gap remains a significant obstacle to entering Europe's lucrative technology landscape, particularly in industrial automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), embedded systems, and edge computing. The government's Uraan program's $10 billion target for the country's exports by FY29 is contingent on expanding this talent pool. Industry leaders have called for large-scale reskilling initiatives through government-led boot camps, stronger university-industry linkages, and language training in German and French to enhance competitiveness.  Even though the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) are working to build capacity, experts say that only a small number of local businesses are equipped to meet the specialized needs of European clients. According to embedded software developer Syed Saad Abbas, who is based in Germany, core skills in industrial automation, Internet of Things (IoT), and smart system integration are necessary for supporting the outsourcing of projects to various domestic and international businesses in Europe.
Leading European companies, including renowned brands, are developing intelligent firmware solutions that enable automation, adaptability, and optimisation while enhancing productivity manifold.  However, the expertise required for these emerging fields includes TinyML, AI, cloud connectivity, and edge computing, he said.  He said that business tycoons and conglomerates offer large-scale projects for long periods of time. As a result, Pakistani IT companies could look for lucrative opportunities to fill the services gap either on their own or through joint ventures with local or foreign companies. Furthermore, IT companies in Pakistan should equip themselves with human resources capable of communicating in foreign languages, including German and French, to gain a competitive edge over other market players, he added.  Under the PSEB, Pakistani IT companies have made significant progress in exploring promising new markets. Pakistani firms showcased their services and solutions at GITEX Europe and at conferences and exhibitions in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Norway in 2025.  Unfortunately, the skill gap may be one of the reasons why only a small number of local businesses were able to attend these trade shows to attract European customers. The Ministry of IT, through the PSEB, launched capacity-building programmes and boot camps across the country with an investment of Rs1 billion during the last financial year.
 Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, Muhammad Umair Nizam, said that the IT industry has been aggressively exploring new markets for the past two years to enhance exports worldwide.  He added that the industry is taking cognisance of both its strengths and shortcomings.  According to him, "In this regard, the Pakistan IT industry association is continuously working on skill development and capacity building for professionals in this field, in collaboration with PSEB, through skill surveys, recommendations, and boot camp arrangements with its members." He concluded by saying, "We are hoping that PSEB will resume its capacity-building programmes based on actionable insights into critical skill gaps, regional hiring trends, and the technologies shaping the future of work." Recently, P@SHA released the Skills Survey 2025, a comprehensive study highlighting current and emerging talent demands within Pakistan's IT and ITeS industry.  The survey revealed a strong shift toward cloud, automation, and data-driven roles.


Location: Europe

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