By SHABBIR H. KAZMI
Apr 30 - May 06, 2001
Tariq Ahmed Nizami is IT Advisor and
Coordinator at Software Technology Incubator (STI) of Sir Syed
University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET). He also looks after
ssuet.net the Internet Service Provider (ISP) established by SSUET for
its students and other commercial users. Previously he was chief
executive at Gerry's Net and the main driving force for the first ISP
established in collaboration with Siemens Pakistan. He has also worked
for various national and foreign companies which include working as
General Manager at Computerland, USA. He is an MBA from California
State University, Los Angeles, USA. Tariq has been the recipient of
various awards including US Presidential Medal in 1989, The American
Immigrant Wall of Honour in 1992. Currently he is Member Executive
Committee of Internet Service Provider Association of Pakistan (ISPAK).
PAGE: First of all share your ssuet.net
experience with our readers?
Tariq Nizami: Sir Syed University of
Engineering and Technology (SSUET) has established this ISP on August
14, 2000 primarily to provide a low service for the students. At
present we have more than 12,000 customers and half of them are SSUET
students. This is not a small achievement. The biggest achievement of ssuet.net
was live coverage of the fourth convocation of the University on
Internet on March 26 this year. This was the first ever event in
Pakistan. Saying this much I would like to add that the IT
professionals/experts of Pakistan are superior to their contemporaries
in the region. It is another thing that they rarely get a chance to
exhibit their expertise. However, whenever and wherever they get a
chance to compete with the leaders they do not disappoint.
PAGE: If I am able to understand correctly,
Pakistan has the necessary expertise, why the country has not been
able to get a presence on the global map of IT?
Tariq Nizami: While I can tell you a number
of reasons for this, I would like to confine myself to key issues
only. These are: lack of support from Pakistan missions abroad and
absence of conducive policies of the GoP. Pakistan Telecommunication
Company Limited (PTCL) does not have the right vision of IT
and infrastructure requirement for IT promotion and its
use. I will refer to the amount being charged by PTCL from the ISPs
and absence of National Access Points (NAPs). As regards payment to
PTCL, these charges are exorbitant and even if there is any reduction,
ultimate users do not get any benefit. While PTCL charges Rs 500,000
from ISPs, Indian ISPs pay one rupee only. As regards NAPs, I will say
that such points are usually on city and country basis and are very
common. However, no NAP has been established in Pakistan as yet. NAPs
offer security of data, faster and cheaper communication. As regards
Pakistan's share, I will say that SSUET has been able to get the
global recognition. Our Software Technology Incubator is working for
giants like CISCO, Microsoft and Siemens. Our aim is to promote use of
IT in core industries. I strongly believe "Progress
of an industry or corporate is the actual progress of a country".
PAGE: How do you read the change of mind set
in Pakistan?
Tariq Nizami: I see a visible change in the
country. The IT and Internet literacy is growing at a very fast
rate, people make efficient use of available information, make
informed decisions and there is a marked improvement of performance of
our core industries. However, concentration of PC population and
Internet users is confined to a few cities only. For example,
according to my estimate, there are 350,000 Internet users in Pakistan
and more than 50 per cent users are located in Karachi alone. Other
cities which have large population of PCs and Internet users are
Lahore and Islamabad.
PAGE: At present every one is talking about
export of software, what are your views?
Tariq Nizami: Kindly allow me to repeat my
words that IT professionals/experts of Pakistanis are
better than their contemporaries in the region. The only reason, in my
opinion, is lack of promotion of 'right companies at right time'. I
have a suggestion that the GoP should appoint 'IT
literate' in embassies, and trade commissioners' offices to get in
contact with prospective software buying companies. I will also
suggest that local software developers should also go out of Pakistan
to solicit business.
PAGE: What is your message for IT
enthusiasts?
Tariq Nizami: I strongly believe that IT
is a tool for gathering information and using it for informed decision
making. Since the pace of new development is very fast, whatever
information or technology we may have right now can become totally
obsolete tomorrow. Therefore, they should not, at all, develop a
feeling that they know the most. They should constantly try to improve
their knowledge and skill. It is not easy to remain at the top.
