President Dr. Arif Alvi says research in the field of Information Technology is pivotal to socio-economic development and poverty alleviation in the country.

Speaking at a briefing by Prime Minister's Task Force on IT and Telecom in Islamabad on Friday, he said the government is cognizant of the potential and significance of IT sector and has made it a national priority.

The President said the 4th Industrial Revolution is changing the way that we live and work.

Emphasizing that new technologies are powerful agents of good, he underlined the need for new ideas and initiatives to meet the requirements of these new technologies.

The President assured the Task Force of every possible support in fulfilling its mandate. 

Meanwhile, addressing 10th annual three-day book festival in Islamabad today, President Dr Arif Alvi said books are a big source of knowledge and it is responsibility of parents to promote habit of book reading among children. 

The festival titled 'Book Leads to Educational Development' was held under the auspices of National Book Foundation.

The President lauded the role of National Book Foundation in spreading knowledge in the country.