KARACHI, Jan 07 (APP): Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Syed Amin Ul Haque said that steps are underway for fulfilling digital Pakistan vision which was the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He was addressing Contract Signing Ceremony between Universal Service Fund (USF) and JAZZ for providing High Speed Mobile Broadband Services here at a local hotel on Friday.
The agreement was signed by CEO JAZZ Amir and CEO Universal Service Fund (USF) Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry. Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiative Asad Umar has graced the event.
The JAZZ has collaborated with the Universal Service Fund (USF) to provide High Speed Mobile Broadband Services for Kambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Naushahro Feroze & Shaheed Benazirabad Districts.
He said that technology was changing with every passing day, adding that we have to equip our youth with modern technology. He said youth are country’s asset, saying that steps are being taken to connect the masses in rural areas with digital world.
Connectivity is the topmost priority of the government and it is because of broadband facility we can connect with digital world, he said.
Syed Amin Ul Haque said that numbers of initiatives are being taken for provision of quality broadband services in unserved and underserved areas of the country, Since last three years, the investment of Rs.12.4 billion has been made to increase the connectivity through 3G and 4G and however, an amount of investment has been increased for next year, he added. As many as 175000000 people would get benefits from the project.
Highlighting the achievements of the federal government, the IT minister said that they had increased the number of IT related projects and majority of projects would be completed soon.
Due to better policies announced by PTI-led government, the number of phone subscribers has registered an increase to 18 crore from 16 crore within last 3 years, he informed. Besides, the broadband subscribers has also witnessed a rise from 7 crore to 10 crore.
He said that Pakistan’s IT industry was rapidly progressing and our IT exports are also increasing. The exports of IT have increased to Rs. 2.1 billion in 2020-2021 from Rs.1.4 from 2019-2020.
He also told that 911 helpline service would be launched across the country as each citizen can get benefit from it.
Lamenting Sindh Government over its poor performance in the province, he said that provincial government could not provide basic facilities to people living in the province. While, federal government has launched a various projects including Green Line Bus, K 4 and others to provide a relief to common people in the province.
Rejecting the local government amendment bill recently passed by Sindh Assembly, he said that all parties were protesting against that bill. They would also stage a protest during this week.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiative Asad Umar lauded the performance of Ministry of IT and Telecom and its steps for digitalization.
He also expressed satisfaction on USF’s projects for the provision of broadband services in the rural areas of the country.
The equipping the youth with digital skills is the need of hour.
He said Pakistan is the 5th fastest growing country in terms of freelancers and their earnings in the world.
Government is striving hard to extend full support to the freelancers in ease of doing business, and availability of seamless internet connectivity across the country, he added.
Digital technology would be used for holding census in the country, he informed.
on the occasion, CEO Universal Service Fund (USF) Haaris Mahmood Chaudhry highlighted the importance of project.
