The terms "information society" and "knowledge-based economy" are used to describe contemporary economic society. In this age of global economy, information is an essential resource for capacity-building along with social and economic development. This new global knowledge-based society requires embracing new development challenges and opportunities that the recent rapid evolution in information and communication technologies (ICT) has brought about.

HEC has aimed to ensure that a comprehensive Information and Communications Technology strategy is incorporated in its goal to develop an information society in Pakistan. Through the University Computerization and Networking Program, all public sector universities have been provided with funds to establish an ICT infrastructure within their institution, including Computer Laboratories and Local Area Networks. The revolutionary Pakistan Education and Research Network (PERN), a fiber based intranet, has extended its reach to 60 universities, and provides internet connectivity of 155MB across the network. Now a full voting member of the Asia Pacific Advance Network Consortium (APAN), PERN is enhancing its functionality by providing connected universities with additional applications such as video conferencing and ‘Voice-over-IP’ services for communication between connected universities. Universities and campuses currently not connected to PERN or in remote areas beyond the current reach of the network have been provided with a satellite-based internet downlink providing 45MB of internet connectivity to support the delivery of ICT services at universities.

Digital Library Program of the HEC now provides a globally un-paralleled service, with over 20,000 journals from the world’s leading publishing houses available online to universities and R & D organizations across the country.

Programs introduced, funded and implemented by the Planning Division of the HEC in this context include:

• University Computerization and Networking
• Support of Telecommunications sector and IT related Disciplines
• Strengthening of IT Departments
• PERN Connectivity
• The Pakistan Research Repository
• Video conferencing