Bucharest: Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin-ul-Haque said that partnering with Pakistan, fifth largest and most populous country means partnering with a huge repository of capable and delivering youth. Pakistan has always been open to partnering in all areas that are mutually beneficial for all stakeholders. It certainly includes technology as one of preferred undertakings. He stated this in his key policy address at Ministerial Conference of International Telecommunication Union (ITU PP-22) in Bucharest, Romania.

He said, “Pakistan has geared itself up for rapid adoption of Information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver socio-economic development of country which was committed to our people.” Pakistan has vastly improved on programmes to serve rural community in a more effective manner. With respect to our Wireless Broadband Access program, provision of LTE technology has been made a mandatory part for delivery of services. Country has increased coverage and data throughput which will eventually benefit end user. Reducing sector’s emissions and following approach of Green ICT UN’s SDG Goal 7 (Clean Energy), all Universal Service Fund projects now require Operators to power up their infrastructure through Solar Energy. Our Fiber Optic programme has evolved as well. We have introduced OPEX subsidy, Rationalized (subsidised) Tariffs and Access to Health facilities.

He said in last 4 years, since ITU PP-18 have been our busiest with respect to Universal Service Fund’s (USF) outreach. Only in this period, we have contracted 79 new projects which is double number of projects we did before this period since inception which was way back in 2007. Total coverage to more than 15,000 rural/remote villages and 27.8 million people has been enabled in this period. Our government envisions digital Pakistan “To bring Social and Economic Prosperity and Citizen Empowerment through Digital Transformation of Pakistan”. Highlighting Digital Pakistan vision IT Minister said, “Implementation plan will position nation for accelerated digital transformation, matching pace of leading economies, resulting in greater economic opportunities, efficient public administration and governance structures and improved socio-economic well-being of its citizens.”

Stating regarding Flood situation Amin-ul-Haque said that despite being lowest on global carbon emission ranking, Pakistan is one of largest affectee of climate changes in world.  He said governments around globe need to learn today from tech sector how emerging apps and platforms are empowering consumers to make more informed decisions about lifestyle and consumer choices.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 28 2022

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