Tell us about yourself and how you reached this point in your career.
I am Usman Minhas, Director of Technical Operations with over a decade of experience in Media Tech and Product Management. My career began at WorldCall as an engineer, managing nationwide headend operations, and progressed through roles at technology companies. My Notable projects include establishing Pakistan’s first licensed Satellite Teleport & Introducing digital video distribution in Pakistan. My career is full of innovative projects and currently, I lead significant technical projects at Merchant Holdings & TeleNest, driving innovation and operational excellence. My focus has always been on innovative projects and something that benefits our country.
How do you see technology changing our lives?
Our generation has witnessed and embraced the evolution of technology in every aspect. While our parents’ generation saw this change, they were often hesitant to adopt it. In contrast, the generations after us have grown up with technology from day one. The upcoming transition to new technologies will be even faster and will transform many areas of our lives, especially how we communicate and consume knowledge. With advancements in large language models and artificial general intelligence, we can anticipate a radically different world in the near future. This shift will have the most significant impact on education, the creative industries, and analytics.
How can we become a digital country?
To transform Pakistan into a digital country, we need to identify areas where technology and digitization can have the most immediate and impactful benefits. Starting with the “low-hanging fruits” – the simpler, more achievable projects—will help build momentum and showcase the benefits of digitization. Also, we need to focus on digital literacy and access of technology
How do you see freelancing in Pakistan? Why is it restricted to IT only?
It is restricted to IT only because that’s where people have seen the output. Freelancing in Pakistan has grown organically, mostly through word of mouth and that’s why it has this trickle down effect.
Freelancing trend had a very positive impact in transforming lives in Pakistan, however. I believe it’s important for freelancers, including those in IT, to aim for more challenging and valuable projects. Some freelancers only focus on simpler tasks like data entry, copyrighting, logo design, and website development. But in today’s digital world, there are endless opportunities to learn and specialize in high-demand skills. Furthermore, by expanding your skills and knowledge, you can increase your earning potential and take on more rewarding projects.
Are you satisfied with the current educational system? What changes do you suggest?
This debate has been ongoing for over a decade, and the consensus is clear: our current educational system is not satisfactory and has failed to produce the right resources. While there are individual success stories, our education system is responsible for over 40 million individuals, and it often falls short.
Moreover, I’ve made numerous suggestions in various forums, but one key point I’d like to highlight is the need for either industry-driven education or education-driven industry. We are producing too many graduates without market-relevant skills, leaving them unable to contribute effectively to the workforce. For instance, agriculture and textiles are major contributors to our economy. Yet, how many top students or talented individuals choose textile engineering or agricultural research? How many top-tier universities offer these programs? There’s a significant gap in demand and supply within the education sector.
Additionally, I advocate for schools to adopt a “learn at your own pace” model, moving away from standardized assessments and examinations. As the saying goes, “Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This approach can help nurture diverse talents and skills, creating a more competent and adaptable workforce.
