Intel Pakistan Corporation along with Bank of Punjab (BoP) and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) on Thursday announced their participation in "Punjab PC Programme", an initiative that will make affordable, high-quality PCs available to the people in Punjab. According to an Intel's spokesman, the Bank of Punjab (BoP) and Intel Pakistan Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was the chief guest.
Under the terms of MoU, the BoP would offer financing options to its employees, government employees and the citizens of Punjab to make computers available for purchase via monthly installments.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister said that increasing PC literacy was a key ingredient for success in today's digital era. The co-operation between Intel Pakistan Corporation, BoP and the PITB was an ideal example of how the public and private sector could combine their efforts to ramp technology adoption and bridge the digital divide, he added.
Hamesh Khan, Managing Director of BoP, said that the programme gives consumers greater flexibility and options when purchasing a PC for their home. He further said that they would be able to pay for their new PC through an instalment package offered by BoP starting from as little as Rs 542 a month and would have a variety of PC packages to choose from suiting their budget.
PITB Chairman Rizwan Amin Sheikh said that the Board was proud to collaborate with Intel Pakistan Corporation on this initiative. "The PITB, with the support of the Punjab government, has always endeavoured to improve the IT infrastructure in the province. We hope this initiative would go a long way in the promotion of computer literacy and IT awareness in Punjab."
Kamil F. Hasan, Country Manager of Intel Pakistan Corporation, said that computer literacy has become a rudimentary element for steering a nation towards success and Intel has worked with various governments in successfully launching similar programmes in more than 20 countries globally. "Intel would use its technological expertise and its successful experiences in other countries, which in turn help boost the local IT industry, he added.
Spearheaded by Intel, Bank of Punjab and PITB and supported by other industry players like Anadigi Systems, Inbox Business Technologies, Ikon Technologies Raffles and Softwise Technologies, this initiative was a concerted industry effort designed to provide a greater choice of a range of PCs. The programme aims to help bridge the digital divide and build Information and Communication Technology enabled knowledge-society in Pakistan.
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