IT ministry told to hasten 3G auction

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the Ministry of Information Technology to expedite the process for auctioning 3-G licenses and setting up information technology centres at union council level.

Addressing the global commemoration of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on Thursday, he said that establishment of IT centres at UC level would create 30,000 jobs this year.

The Prime Minister also directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to make broadband wiring mandatory in all building construction plans for increasing broadband penetration. He also directed provincial governments to make broadband wiring mandatory, including it in their respective building design codes. Paying tribute to late Arfa Abdul Karim Randhawa, he directed the authorities concerned to set up an IT centre in her name in Islamabad. Gilani also directed the Ministry of IT to provide community computers in schools and intermediate colleges across the country.

He directed the Ministry of IT to formulate a policy for providing pick and drop transportation facility to women IT workers. Likewise, compliance with provision of laws for maternity leave and other social protection measures should be ensured for women workers.  

Gilani announced annual ICT scholarship facility of Rs300 million for girls to reduce gender disparity in IT industry.

The Prime Minister also announced creation of a venture capital fund of Rs1 billion for encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship research and development in IT industry and directed Ministry of IT to work expeditiously for Union Council, IT Centres project. He said that in this regard a company should be constituted for having a better focus and output on fast track basis. Gilani ordered satellite technology should be used extensively to overcome obstacles in faster deployment of connectivity projects in remote areas of the country.

Gilani said that he was expecting the Ministry of Information Technology to organise an e-Media ICT Conference to chalk out a roadmap to achieve digital development goals to bring Pakistan on world map as a safe, secure and high potential land of opportunities.

The government, he said, was trying to open Telecommunication and IT sectors to more possibilities and opportunities for their growth by bringing much-awaited 3G technology to Pakistan. The government was confident that together with the sustained and active interest, investment and support of telecom and IT companies, Pakistan could be put on the fast-track of economic prosperity and technological excellence.