NEWS

ISLAMABAD, Sep 30 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday stressed upon promotion of Information Technology, cyber connectivity and digitalization because Pakistan’s future is linked with adoption of these latest modes of science and technology. He addressed the Contract Signing Ceremony of Universal Service Fund (USF) that awarded contracts worth approximately PKR 1.28 Billion to Ufone and Jazz for providing High Speed Mobile Broadband services in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. The contracts of Khairpur, Sukkur and Ghotki districts were awarded to Jazz while the contracts of Bolan, Jhal Magsi, Ziarat and Kalat districts were awarded to Ufone.

Terming the signing of contracts as ‘good omen’ for the country, the Prime Minister observed that it was in line with the Government’s vision of uplifting the most backward, poor and deprived areas of Sindh and different impoverished areas of Balochistan through a network of internet connectivity. He regretted that lopsided development in the country had affected these areas. Further, he affirmed that awarded contracts would lead to wider connectivity in these remote areas, thus paving the way for development and prosperity. He cited construction of Karakoram highway in Gilgit Baltistan which had connected inaccessible areas and helped in improving the standards of living and educational facilities. The prime minister said that majority of the people in those areas also wanted provision of e-learning and distance learning facilities through the use of mobile phone services. In addition, he also said that adult literacy could be achieved through the spread of internet connectivity. Such connectivity would be vital for the fifth industrial revolution, he opined.

Referring to lack of facilities in the education and health sectors, the Prime Minister said that the country had witnessed dual systems for the elitist class and the poor. He explained that these systems were enforced to safeguard the interests of rich class while entirely neglecting the poor segments of society, citing the global money laundering network which protected the powerful class.

The economic disparity across the world always led to this class difference as evident with the plight of poor migrants who faced ordeals while eking out to the rich countries, he added.

The prime minister observed that during the 60s, Pakistan had been a fast developing country and even countries like South Korea and Malaysia regarded it as their role model, but now they had excelled in different fields leaving behind Pakistan in terms of development and progress.

He said Pakistan had the second largest young population in the world which possessed ‘a vibrant potential’, and stressed that IT ministry should work further in tapping the IT skills.

The prime minister said setting up IT parks was also significant step by the ministry as it would have positive impacts upon the country’s exports.

Sharing his views at the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin ul Haq said that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF is committed to bridging the digital divide by development, deployment and uptake of Information Communications Technology (ICT) initiatives to make a real difference in people’s daily lives. He informed that through the contracts being awarded, around 2.4 million people in 1146 villages of Bolan, Jhal Magsi, Ziarat, Kalat, Khairpur, Sukkur and Ghotki districts will be provided High Speed Mobile Broadband services, covering an unserved area of 34,660 sq.km. Furthermore, he added that these projects had the potential to impact important areas such as healthcare, communications, agriculture and transportation. He also assured that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will continue to undertake more challenging and productive programs in the future including establishment of IT Parks in Islamabad and Gilgit. In another statement, he apprised the Prime Minister about manufacturing and assembling of 3G and 4G mobile phones project in Pakistan as approved by the Cabinet and the Economic Coordination Committee and also, the launch of triple bundle in Gilgit Baltistan is in completion phase.

Earlier, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of two contracts inked by CEO USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO Jazz, Aamir Ibrahim and CEO Ufone, Rashid Khan.

Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and senior officials of USF, Jazz and Ufone were also present at the ceremony.