Anusha stresses learning of IT for good communication

Says modern tech increasing internet penetration, improving lot of people

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information Technology Anusha Rahman said introduction of mobile broadband had contributed a lot in connecting people and increased internet penetration in the country from mere 3 percent to 18 percent in a short period.

Availability of these technologies have resulted in speedy proliferation of broadband access both in urban and rural communities with a record achievement of more than 30 million subscribers in less than 2 years.

She was addressing a ceremony held here in connection with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day which was also attended by Minister for Finance, Ishaq Dar as chief guest, Minister of State Health Services, Saira Afzal Tarar, legislators, Secretary IT, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr Syed Ismail Shah, chief executive officers (CEOs) and senior staff of Mobile Phone Operators, industry's experts, government officials, media-persons and students and teachers of ICT for Girls programme.

The World Telecommunication and Information Society (WTIS) Day is celebrated worldwide on May 17 every year to mark creation of International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The theme this year is `ICT Entrepreneurship for Social Impact.' She said the auction of spectrum fetched $ 1.2 billion for national exchequer. In addition, around $ 1.3 billion worth of investments are being made in rolling out of 3G/4G networks and infrastructure, she added.

The minister said recently approved telecommunication policy had envisioned transformation of Pakistan into digital economy and added auctioning of further spectrum to meet market demand and induce better quality of service was expected in June this year. She said the government had also introduced an incentive package for mobile phone manufacturers in the country to support uptake of usage of ICT application and services.

She said present regime under the able leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had devised clear-cut programmes to translate telecom development into measurable socio-economic benefits of nation and added in this direction a strategy was being pursued to achieve development targets including projected figure of additional employment creation while targeting 36 per cent broadband penetration in next two years.

Regarding IT exports and services, she said these had increased by 41 per cent since 2013 by just reorganising the processes. “Pakistan is now at number four in the world when it comes to free-lancing. This achievement is very encouraging which remained unknown to most in the public domain, she added. She said prospective young and energetic IT professionals would soon be under umbrella of National Incubation Centre of the Ministry. These startups with potential to become IT giants will be given full facilitation including premises, mentorship and opportunities to reach out local and international markets.

The centre will be managed by private partner. Every year 40 start-ups will be hosted in the centre with each startup comprising of 5-10 member team. She further elaborated the government was providing billion of rupees to install infrastructure in both in under-served and un-served areas of Pakistan as "We are trying its best to connect more people through easy and affordable access to Internet." She said the focus areas are accelerated deployment of e-services and to develop applications and content to enable socio-economic development through digitalisation of traditional sectors and also leveraging e-government to make Pakistan front-runner in good governance through IT enablement at all levels.

Anusha Rahman assured that her Ministry was focusing on ensuring that the Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs), secured next generation licenses, have a conducive and supportive regulatory and policy framework going forward to focus on providing solution to the masses rather than focusing on resolution of sector problems.

The minister said ICTs for young girls system had been launched with joint effort of Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM), Universal Service Fund (USF) and Microsoft to help prepare many young girls from underestimated area of society, with a goal that they could get suitable occupations. She emphasised in this age of innovation and technological advancement, steps need to be taken that benefits of ICT reach girls and women. She said her government was focusing on this particular areas and ensuring implementation following party's manifesto.

She advised that the women segment should not restrict themselves for typing only rather they should take advantage of and focus on learning different IT and computer courses as Information Technology had assumed a pivotal role in every sphere of life. This phenomenon will also lead to women empowerment, she continued.

The other initiative is setting up of Software Technology Park in Islamabad. Parks at Lahore and Karachi will also be set up. She said her Ministry was in process of developing tech city in Federal Capital as well.

Chairman PTA said for the consumers, availability of high speed mobile broadband services in both urban and rural areas was encouraging more connected community and promote e-commerce related activities. He said next generation mobile services were considered an enabler towards GDP growth and help introduce more innovative e-services.

In his brief remarks, Managing Director, PBM, Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh said it was our duty to impart IT education to girls in order to enable them to earn their livelihood and contribute in national development.

Country Head of Microsoft, Nadeem Malik expressed commitment of his organisation in promoting ICT and hoped this particular initiative would help materialise government's vision to make Pakistan a digital country.

Head of Mobilink, appreciated efforts and role of present government regarding IT and telecom services in the country.

Later, Anusha Rahman distributed certificates amongst students and teachers of ICT girls programme.