**Congratz Pakistan!! mashAllah so much talent and potential in Pakistan! 
****People view the IT and software industry of Pakistan as a fledgling market. It does not get a lot of media attention and there are many rumours and speculation about what is actually being developed in these offices. However, this industry has behemoth competition, not just from our neighbours, but within the region itself.
**Our IT and software sector has an organization, which acts as an umbrella body representing and grooming products and companies to pitch to the world, called P@sha or Pakistan Software Houses Association. A month ago P@sha held the ICT awards in Pakistan, where they selected 18 products which would then be pitched at a much bigger stage at the recently held APICTA (Asian Pacific ICT awards ceremony) in Pattaya, Thailand. This was an arena where software products developed by our nation’s own battled against 162 others in front of 48 judges, who deliberated over them for two days before reaching their decision.
The P@sha ICT awards held locally in October were no less of a grand affair either. They showed stiff competition and many questions were raised about the judging criteria in social media. This is the local platform or event that allows companies to bring forth products which can then elevate their brand name at an international stage.
**The two Golds awarded to Pakistan were in the e-Health and e-Logistics and SCM categories and five Silvers were in the Communication, Financial, Security, E-Inclusion & E-Community, and E-Government categories. The Centre for Advanced Research in Engineering (CARE) once again distinguished itself with the Gold in e-Health and the silver in Communication, Security and E-Government categories. Lumensoft Technologies went for Gold in the e-Logistics category with Infotech Group taking the Silver medal in the Financial Apps category and Engro-Orix taking the Silver in the E-Inclusion & E-Community category.
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These aren’t the only IT companies in Pakistan who are engaged in making revolutionary products and services. Those 11 that did not get medals also need to be recognized for promoting this country in an arena where they are treading a way more thornier path than those they competed against, in terms of resources, subsidization and a feasible work environment.Moreover, many of these 11 teams came very close to beating their competition, and won much praise from the judges who were in awe of the Pakistani IT markets skill.
We often have to look away when our nation is spoken of badly in international media. However, this is a moment we must cherish and take joy in, this is a moment where 18 teams went out there and showed the world that we are much more than just a nation of terrorists. We have always marvelled at Pakistani talent in fields of sport and music. Perhaps it is time we chose heroes from this arena as well, heroes that might not be so well known but are doing us proud diligently and silently.