First right of way policy a milestone towards ‘Digital Pakistan’: minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first right of way policy is a milestone towards “Digital Pakistan” that aims to promote the modern telecommunication services, resolve issues regarding establishment of telecommunication systems, and introduction of fast track processes for the provision of Right of Way through one-window operation.

This was stated by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque, while addressing at an event “Right of Way Policy: A Milestone Towards Digital Pakistan” organised by the Ministry of IT and Telecom with the collaboration of the GSMA, here on Wednesday.

The event was attended by IT Secretary Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Chairman PTA Major General (retired) Amir Azeem Bajwa, and officials from the IT and Telecom Ministry, CEOs of Telecom Operators, dignitaries from various sectors and stakeholders.

Speaking on the occasion, Haque said that Pakistan offers an open and deregulated market with a licensing regime that is supportive for establishing businesses in the country focusing on ease of doing business.

“The Government of Pakistan strives to improve its citizens’ quality of life and economic well-being by ensuring availability of accessible, affordable, reliable, universal, and high quality ICT services,” he added.

Haque said that due to the investor’s friendly policies of the Government of Pakistan, there is a significant presence of multinational companies operating in technology and telecom sector of Pakistan.

Telecom sector has made significant contributions for economic growth of the country and has contributed over Rs278.5 billion, to the national exchequer during the last year, which is indeed commendable.

“Today, we have 176 million mobile and smartphones connections with more than 83 percent tele-density,” said the IT minister.

He said that the need for high proliferation of mobile broadband services in the country and its impact on overall GDP and productivity was highlighted during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

He said today, it is promising to see that with 93 million subscribers of broadband services, the growth of Digital Financial Services and other e/m services are being led by the telecom sector.

“Pakistan has a highly robust Public Private Partnership Mechanism, whereby digital divide is being bridged through the telecom sector’s contribution of 1.5 percent of Annual Gross Revenue in the Universal Service Fund and 0.5 percent being contributed towards the Research and Development Fund leading towards incubations and start-ups eco systems,” said minister.

The IT minister also stated that the government is heavily investing in the enhancement of digital infrastructure in underserved areas nationwide, which has led to equitable sharing of opportunities and resources, paving the way for accelerated economic growth. The MoiTT through the USF has already started dozens of projects estimating about Rs14 billion for the proliferation of Digital Infrastructure and Services in unserved and underserved areas of the country in the last eight months.

He said that while access to telecommunication services is a perquisite to digitalization, however, Right of Way has remained a major impediment towards the deployment of infrastructure, since the introduction Pakistan Telecom Re-Organization Act, 1996.

“I am glad that after extensive efforts of my team especially the tremendous efforts and contribution of our Legal and Telecom Wings towards the formulation and approval of Right of Way Policy”, said Haque.

The minister IT said that, we are working for additional spectrum availability for 3G and 4G network expansion, better quality and coverage of services, rationalising taxation of ICT sector, increasing 4G smartphone penetration in the country, and launch of 5G services in the country.

Moreover, we have uploaded the drafts of the National Broadband Policy 2021 and Cyber Security Policy 2021 for stakeholders’ consultation

Talking to media after the ceremony, he said that attempts were being made to intimidate and buy MQM Pakistan members in Sindh.

All political parties should decide on merit with regard to Senate tickets.

The PTI and MQM will support each other in the Senate elections.

If they fight the elections together, they can win five out of 11 seats in Sindh.

The Sindh government and Asif Ali Zardari are trying to use force and coercion.

I have been contacted on phone by Yousuf Raza Gilani, said the minister adding that the doors of MQM as a political party are open to all.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021