Pakistan’s first technology centred festival, The Mix, kicked off on Saturday to promote experience-based learning and give a platform to change-makers using technology.The two day festival has been chiefly organised by Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Information and Culture Department Punjab. The event focused on engaging the public through advancement and excitement of technology.PITB Chairman Umar Saif said that technology is playing a vital role in improving Pakistan’s socioeconomic conditions, which is most evident in Punjab where smart applications are allowing improvements in health, education, economy, revenue and other areas. “Pakistani youth have tremendous potential to contribute in entrepreneurial activity and to promote the ecosystem through the application of technology,” said Saif.“We have brought this festival in Pakistan following the model of Austin, Texas since a dedicated technology exhibition in Pakistan will only attract professionals and not the youth,” said Plan 9 Project Manager Zainab Tariq, referring to the entrepreneurship competition in which Pakistani start-ups won heavily.Founder of Car Chabi, a local startup, Ali Rashid said that though Pakistanis are a tech-enthusiastic people, the ability to use technology in an effective manner is still lacking.“Majority of our public only know how to use social media apps, they really don’t know how to utilise their smartphones to make their lives easier,” he said, adding that people here are still reluctant to spend on technology.Published in The Express Tribune, November 12, 2017.Like Business on Facebook , follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.