Islamabad: The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) have launched the application process for the 6th cycle of the National Incubation Centres Programme’s National Expansion Plan. The news has been sourced from an article published on March 29.
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According to the details, the plan aims to support start-ups throughout Pakistan. 13 tech incubation centres, established in collaboration with public universities, offer start-ups six months of support including free workspace, mentorship, networking opportunities, a monthly stipend, business support, and legal guidance, without taking equity. Applications are open to cities such as Gujarat, Jamshoro, Karachi, Kohat, Lahore, Muzaffarabad, Quetta, Rawalpindi, Sukkur, Swat, and Taxila.
The program has already successfully incubated 690 start-ups, generating over PKR 1,100 million in revenue and creating more than 12,000 jobs. Additionally, the e-Rozgaar Training Programme, a collaboration between PITB and the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, received over 17,000 applications from Punjab’s youth for its next batch, aiming to provide online employment opportunities, with 63% male and 37% female applicants.
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Chairman Faisal Yousaf emphasised the program’s objectives of democratising entrepreneurship, stimulating business activity nationwide, enhancing the IT industry, and fostering economic growth in Pakistan. He highlighted the success of the e-Rozgaar Centres, with 45 operational centres across 36 districts in Punjab, having trained over 60,000 students who earned collectively over PKR 8 billion through online work, with women representing 57% of participants.