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Umar Saif

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Umar Saif
SI
Picture of Dr. Umar Saif from an event at Arfa Software Technology Park
Federal Minister for Science & Technology, and Information Technology & Telecommunication
Caretaker
In office
17 August 2023 – 4 March 2024
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterAnwaar ul Haq Kakar
Preceded bySyed Aminul Haque
Succeeded byKhalid Maqbool Siddiqui (Science and Technology)
Chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board
Preceded byAgha Hassan Baloch
Succeeded byHabib-ur-Rehman Gilani
Personal details
NationalityPakistani
Alma materLahore University of Management Sciences
University of Cambridge
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Websiteumarsaif.org

Umar Saif (Urdu: عمر سیف; born 1979) is a Pakistani computer scientist and academic. He is known for his contributions to the tech ecosystem in Pakistan.[1][2][3][4][5][6] He is the founder and CEO of aiSight.ai (formerly SurveyAuto Inc.),[7] Chief Digital Officer of the Jang Group and CEO of Khudi Ventures. He served as interim Federal Minister For Science and Technology, as well as Minister of IT from August 2023 to March 2024.[8][9] He is also serving as an advisor to the United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan.[citation needed]

After studying computer science at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Saif received his doctorate from the University of Cambridge at the age of 22. He then moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he did his postdoc. He returned to Pakistan in 2005 and joined LUMS where he taught as an associate professor of computer science between 2006 and 2013.[citation needed]

In 2011, Saif was appointed as chairman of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and also became a cabinet member in Government of Punjab. During his tenure as a chair of the PITB between 2011 and 2018, he founded Pakistan's first technology incubator, Plan 9 and carried out more than 300 projects. Simultaneously, he served as the founding vice-chancellor of the Information Technology University from 2013 to 2018.[citation needed]

For his research, entrepreneurial ventures, and for being the brains behind digital governance of Punjab and one of the main driving forces behind the IT ecosystem in the country, he was awarded numerous notable awards and titles such as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Google's Faculty Research Award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, UNESCO Chair for using ICT for Development, and was named as one of the top 35 young innovators in the world by the MIT Technology Review (TR35). He was named among The 500 Most Influential Muslims consecutively between 2015 and 2023.[citation needed]

Early life and education

[edit]

Saif was born in Pakistan. He attended Aitchison College before enrolling at Lahore University of Management Sciences where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science[10] in 1998.[11] He received a doctor of philosophy degree in computer science from the University of Cambridge at the age of 22[12] in 2001.[11] In 2002 he did his postdoc[12] at MIT, also in computer science.[11][13] From 2001 to 2005 he taught at MIT[10] and worked at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) as a research scientist,[11] becoming part of the team which developed Project Oxygen.

Career

[edit]

Upon returning to Pakistan in 2005,[14] Saif joined LUMS[15] where he worked as an associate professor of computer sciences between 2006 and 2013.[16] He became one of the youngest tenured professors at LUMS[14] in 2009.[16] While teaching full-time, Saif carried out several research projects.[14]

In 2010 Saif was named as Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.[12] In 2011 he was placed on MIT's TR35 list, naming him as one of the world's top 35 young innovators[11] for developing a bittorrent client, BitMate, and a text message-based social network, SMSall.[15][17][18] The same year he became the first Pakistani to receive the Google's Faculty Research Award.[11][19] Upon learning of his achievements the Chief Minister of the Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, invited Saif to head the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).[14] In November 2011 he was appointed Chairman of the PITB.[12][14] In his role as Chairman of the PITB Saif was made responsible for all public-sector information technology projects in Punjab.[12] In 2012 he established Pakistan's first technology incubator, Plan 9,[20] with financial support from the government[21] and became known for introducing the startup culture to Pakistan.[14] During his tenure as Chairman of the PITB, he also established E-Rozgaar programme.[22]

He also founded Pakistan's first start-up incubator, SCI.[23] In response to the 2011 outbreak of dengue fever in Pakistan PITB, under Saif's supervision, developed a smartphone-based early warning system to assist medical teams in curbing the outbreaks[24] which received extensive recognition.[25][26][27] He played a vital role in digitalising the land records in Punjab[28] as well those of police, and other departments of the Punjab government.[29]

Saif established Pakistan's first IT university Information Technology University (ITU)[30] and on 20 January 2013, he was appointed as the first and founding Vice Chancellor of the ITU by the Government of Punjab.[11] At the age of 34, he became the youngest vice chancellor of a university in Pakistan at the time.[12][14] In November 2016 he was inducted into the Punjab provincial cabinet of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and was appointed as an adviser to the Chief Minister.[16] In March 2017 Saif began co-hosting the reality television series Idea Croron Ka as a business expert.[31]

On 12 November 2018, the government of Punjab asked Saif to step down from the office of chairman of the PITB and Vice Chancellor of Information Technology University.[32][33]

He is credited for being the brains behind digital governance of Punjab and one of the main driving forces behind the IT ecosystem in the country.[30] During his term as chairman of the PITB, more than 300 projects were carried out.[34]

In January 2019, Saif joined Jang Group as Chief Digital Officer.[35][36] In February 2019, Saif founded his new startup called SurveyAuto and also announced to start his own venture capital firm called Khudi Ventures.[36]

In August 2023, Saif joined cabinet of caretaker prime minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar, taking offices of IT And Science Minister.[8][9]

In December 2023, In his role as the Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Saif announced that the caretaker federal cabinet had given approval for Pakistan's inaugural National Space Policy. Additionally, he also revealed plans to establish the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to supplant the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in handling cybercrimes, alongside the creation of a specialized telecom tribunal.[37] In January 2024, Saif initiated the Pakistan Startup Fund, a government initiative aimed at investing Rs2 billion annually in Pakistani startups. Additionally, he claimed that the nation's IT exports had risen by 32 percent in the preceding 60 days.[38] The same month, Saif inaugurated the Pakistan Internet Exchange during his tenure as Caretaker Minister for IT.[39] In February, The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has appointed Dr. Umar Saif to the Digital Innovation Board of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.[40]

He stepped down from his positions as Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication and Minister for Science and Technology when the caretaker cabinet of PM Kakar was dissolved on 04 March 2024.[41]

Public image

[edit]

Saif has been found to give hyperbolic statements and misleading numbers.[42][43] He has often spoken about the imminent arrival of PayPal in Pakistan, and claimed that the payment provider was coming to Pakistan in January 2024.[44] However, the claim was found to be spurious.[45][46] He made a similar claim about Nokia's CEO, Pekka Lundmark, visiting Pakistan in September 2023 for investment, which was later denied by the company.[47] In September, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja accused Saif of undermining a private deal to bring PayPal to Pakistan by prematurely leaking details to media. She stated, "This action annoyed PayPal and Saif sabotaged it."[48] Shaza Fatima clarified that she has been misquoted and that she "has always respected Dr. Umar’s contribution to the sector”. [49]

Dr Umar Saif was also impacted by a larger with-hunt by the Imran khan's PTI government where many professionals were targeted. [50][51][52]

Wealth

[edit]

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan's records, the net worth of Saif is Rs. 280 million (US$970,000).[53] He has investments in businesses, including over Rs. 40 million (US$140,000) in TPL Properties and other shares exceeding Rs 674,000 in value, as well as shares in an IT company worth more than Rs 4.7 million.[54]

His personal assets also include 110 tolas (~1.3 kg) of gold and liquid assets comprising more than Rs 1 million in cash.[54] Banking records reveal that Saif possesses Rs 50.26 million in one account and over $20,000 in another, with his wife's account containing upwards of Rs 9.7 million.[54] He also owns two residential plots and an apartment in Lahore - all registered under his wife's name.[54]

Recognition

[edit]

In 2006, Saif received the Digital Inclusion Award from Microsoft Research.[23][55] The same year he received the IDG CIO Technology Pioneer Award.[13][23][56] In August 2014 Saif was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan for his services in the field of education and information technology.[57] In 2015 and again in 2016 he was named as one of the 500 most influential Muslims.[28] In March 2017 he was awarded the Alumni Award in the professional achievement award category by the British Council.[58] In April 2018, he was appointed UNESCO chair for using Information and Communication Technology for Development.[59]

In May 2018, Bill Gates commended Saif for enabling Pakistan to use technology for immunisation coverage.[60][61]

In 2023, he was again named as one of the 500 most influential Muslims.[62]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ High, Peter. "A Professor With A Western Past Remakes Pakistan's Entrepreneurial Future". Forbes. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". www.techinasia.com. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  3. ^ m.bilal.lakhani (12 April 2018). "Why Umar Saif is an extraordinary Pakistani". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  4. ^ PPI (25 August 2011). "Pakistani among worlds top Young Innovators". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Pride of Pakistan: Umar Saif". Daily Times. 5 August 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  6. ^ Wahab, Abdul (13 November 2018). "Umar Saif is removed from his government position and this is how the social media is reacting". TechJuice. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  7. ^ "How aiSight Helped The World's Biggest Consumer Companies Find Their Way In Emerging Markets". Forbes. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b Amin, Tahir (19 August 2023). "Umar Saif assumes charge as caretaker IT & Telecom minister". Brecorder. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  9. ^ a b Guramani, Dawn com | Nadir (17 August 2023). "Ministers of Interim PM Kakar's cabinet take oath". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b "World-recognised scientist leading PITB". The Nation. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Umer Saif made IT University VC". Dawn. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "A Professor with a Western Past Remakes Pakistan's Entrepreneurial Future". Forbes. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Profile". web.mit.edu. Global Indus Technovator Awards. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Umar Saif: rebel with a cause – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Meet the man propelling Pakistan into the digital age – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 9 October 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  16. ^ a b c "New responsibility: Dr Saif now Punjab chief minister's adviser – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Black clouds and silver linings". Dawn. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Innovator Under 35: Umar Saif, 32". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
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  21. ^ "Pakistan's tech talents find app success – CNN". CNN. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
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  26. ^ "Zapping mosquitoes, and corruption". The Economist. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  27. ^ "How Smartphones Became Vital Tools Against Dengue in Pakistan". NPR. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Alumni Award 2017 announced for Dr Umar Saif Punjab IT Board's achievements being recognized at home, abroad – PakObserver". Pakistan Observer. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  29. ^ "Dr Umar Saif still desires to work for Pakistan". The News International. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  30. ^ a b "PM Imran, Dr Umar Saif among top influential Muslims". The News International. 15 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  31. ^ "You're Hired!". Newsweek Pakistan. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  32. ^ "Dr Umar Saif asked to quit". The News International. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  33. ^ "Dr Umar Saif steps down as PITB chairman | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  34. ^ "Dr Umar Saif steps down as PITB chairman". The Express Tribune. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  35. ^ Staff, ProPK. "Dr. Umar Saif Joins Jang Media Group as Chief Digital Officer". Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  36. ^ a b "What is Dr. Umar Saif working on these days?". TechJuice. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  37. ^ "Federal cabinet approves Pakistan's first-ever National Space Policy". DAWN.COM. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Pakistan's IT exports see 'rapid growth' of 32 percent in last 60 days— minister". Arab News PK. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  39. ^ "China, Pakistan sign agreement to route Internet traffic through Pakistan, generate $400 million revenue". Arab News. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  40. ^ Report, Recorder (8 February 2024). "Digital Development: ITU appoints Dr Umar to DIB of IEA". Brecorder. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  41. ^ Report, Recorder (6 March 2024). "Caretaker PM, his cabinet colleagues: de-notification issued". Brecorder. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  42. ^ Niazi, Abdullah (28 November 2023). "Here is why our IT "exports" are not what Umar Saif wants you to think". Profit by Pakistan Today. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  43. ^ Desk, Web (3 January 2024). "Umar Saif's grand claims: genuine progress or more rhetoric?". Hum NEWS. Retrieved 4 March 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. ^ Desk, BR Web (25 October 2023). "Pakistan to hear 'good news' regarding PayPal, Stripe payment gateways soon: Dr Saif". Business Recorder. Retrieved 4 March 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  45. ^ Hassan, Taimoor (6 January 2024). "Fact check: PayPal is not coming to Pakistan". Profit by Pakistan Today. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  46. ^ "PayPal will soon launch services in Pakistan, says Umar Saif". The Nation. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  47. ^ Siddiqui, Aimen (8 September 2023). "Nokia Refutes IT Minister's Claim About CEO Visit". BOL News. Retrieved 4 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ^ Amin, Tahir (25 September 2024). "IT minister claims Dr Umar sabotaged deal with Paypal". Brecorder. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  49. ^ Khurshid, Urwa (27 September 2024). "'No intention of accusing anyone'; IT minister clarifies recent statement about PayPal deal". The Current Pk. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  50. ^ Wahab, Abdul (13 November 2018). "Umar Saif is removed from his government position and this is how the social media is reacting". TechJuice. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  51. ^ "PKLI: from hope to despair". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  52. ^ Desk, Web (1 April 2019). "Umar Saif fails to appear before NAB for irregularities in PITB". ARY NEWS. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  53. ^ The Gazette of Pakistan - Extra (PDF). Printing Corporation of Pakistan (published 6 November 2023). 2023. pp. 50–53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 February 2024.
  54. ^ a b c d "Minister Ijaz owns assets worth billions of rupees". The Express Tribune. 29 November 2023.
  55. ^ "Microsoft Research Awards $1.7 Million in Academic Funding to Advance Research in Health, Education and Digital Inclusion: Company names 28 Digital Inclusion and Tablet PC RFP winners worldwide". Microsoft. 27 June 2006. Archived from the original on 27 June 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  56. ^ "MIT honours Dr Umar Saif". The News International. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  57. ^ "President confers civil awards for excellence in various fields". The News International. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  58. ^ "Winners of UK Alumni Awards 2017 announced – Daily Times". Daily Times. Pakistan. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  59. ^ "Pakistani computer scientist Dr Umar Saif appointed UNESCO chair for ICTD". Geo. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  60. ^ "Bill Gates recognises Pakistan's use of innovative systems for immunisation coverage | Pakistan Today". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  61. ^ "Bill Gates acknowledges Pakistan's use of innovative methods for immunisation". The Express Tribune. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  62. ^ "Umar Saif among Top 500 Most Influential Muslims around the world | Tech Juice". Tech Juice. Retrieved 14 February 2023.


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