Upgrading of mobile networks: Curbs on LCs causing hurdles in import of equipment: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque has said that the limited facility of Letters of Credit (LCs) is insufficient for the telecom sector as it is causing a hurdle in the import of equipment for upgrading mobile networking, besides resulting in a delay in projects for the provision of 4G services.

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Haque said this while chairing the 44th Policy Committee Meeting of Universal Service Fund (USF), here on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Incharge), Ministry of IT MohsinMushtaq, Senior Joint Secretary, Member Telecom Omer Malik, CEO USF Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar, and others.

The federal minister for IT said that telecom companies were facing difficulty in importing upgraded systems and equipment due to limited permission of LCs and it may also result in a delay in projects for the provision of 4G services in far-flung areas of the country.

Earlier, the CEO USF,Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, briefed the chair about the ongoing projects.

The meeting also approved the release of Rs 5 billion development fund for USF for the second and third quarters out of total USF budget of Rs 32.13 billion for the fiscal year 2022-23. It also approved releases to Ignite Co on a quarterly basis in line with the approved budget.

In order to save electricity, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication has started implementing one room one light policy.

A notification has been issued in this regard.

Federal Minister for IT Haque said that electricity saving is the need of the hour and vital to cope with economic issues. All the attached departments of the MOITT have also been directed to comply with the order in letter and spirit.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023