Welcome to the first issue of the local edition of CIO, the world’s largest Business Technology Leadership Publication brand. It’s an exciting time for the industry and certainly an exciting time for us to extend a phenomenal platform to all of you. After a decade of running Netxpress and covering the local industry, when the opportunity to take on CIO in Pakistan came up, I jumped at it.
Promoting the local industry has always been a challenging and an equally exciting prospect. The impact that the various facets of technology have on our lives are monumental. The impact that the IT sector has on Pakistan, is phenomenal.
Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of watching the local industry change. Companies that tightened their belts for the long haul and started off as singular entities are driving the industry today.
Despite the fact that the technology sector isn’t that old here, progress we’ve made thus far can be attributed to some of these brilliant pioneers. Different sizes and segments of companies have come up and many of those that have been able to sustain themselves have created greater opportunity and value for their communities.
The chance to work with international conglomerates has grown exponentially and while a lot of companies are focusing on increasing export, an increasing number of local corporations are working right here in the domestic market. There is a constant buzz in the air when you introduce a novel idea or concept that has something to do with new media or integrating IT into a traditionally non-tech environment. Pakistani enterprise is more attune to utilizing technology and connectivity to make themselves more competitive.
There are many reasons to be excited about the launch of the local edition of CIO. When you read about the kinds of projects and revenue being generated in the Applied Insight article, you’ll have a better understanding of just how much enterprise-level projects are being deployed. Our cover story featuring the Election Commission of Pakistan is a great story to share with the world. Pakistan’s revolutionary hospital at the heart of its largest city, Karachi, is proof that great solutions can be deployed here. These are exactly the kinds of services, solutions and news items that the world wants to know about. When we submit a news item or article to IDG, people sit up and take notice. That was one of the strongest reasons why we wanted Pakistan to be part of this global platform
IDG has an audience of more than 200 million – a number that will increase to 1.5 billion by 2015. The first issue’s advertising has been kept CIO-focused so we can show you there there’s a lot more coming to Pakistan with the CIO brand. Do take a moment and go through the issue and take a look at what the brand has to offer.
Perhaps the biggest challenge we have ahead of us is to not to get the news out as much as it is to keep people coming in. Regardless of the circumstance and situation, if the quality and size of the projects continue at the rate they are, this too will be a hurdle that we will be able to overcome in time.
Being able to learn from people at various levels in organizations across verticals has always been an appealing part of a journalist’s job description. As Shakeel Akhtar, our Strategic CIO for this issue commented, “My work here at Indus Hospital is my passion, and there is nothing that can change that.” It’s always been a similar situation with me. When the 25th hour of a continuous workday rolls around, we will always be happy to speak to anyone who has something valuable to say about the local industry.
I’d like to take a moment to congratulate the recipients of the Technology Pioneer Awards. Each of our distinguished pioneers has played a critical role in getting the industry to where it has reached. I’d also like to thank all our speakers who contributed their time and experience in sharing their passion and commitment towards the country’s growth and progress.
CIO Pakistan is a platform for all of you. It is with your continued collaboration and foresight that we will be able to make this a success.
Until the next issue,
Signing off,
Rabia Garib
Editor-in Chief
CIO Pakistan
