IT and Telecom Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said he expected investment of $3 to 4 billion in the telecom sector in the next three years, and job creation of 15,000 to 20,000 persons.
Addressing a seminar on the occasion of International Telecommunication Day at a local hotel on Monday, the minister said that the recent licensing of two mobile services attracted large investment more than last year's total direct investment.
He said he was hopeful that bidding for long-distance and domestic loops and other new opportunities would likewise attract huge investment. Transparent and open policies are being framed for the proposed licensing, he added.
Besides the minister, Secretary IT and Telecom ministry Khalid Saeed, MD of Software Export Board Dr Aamir Matin, President and CEO of PTCL Junaid I. Khan and CEO of WorldCall Salman Taseer spoke on the occasion. The theme of the day was 'ITCs leading the way to sustainable development'.
The minister deplored that despite the hype of huge investment in recent bidding, no Pakistani company could compete. He suggested that expatriate Pakistanis should have Pakistani partners for participating in such mega biddings.
Awais said that the attitude of PTCL was critical in promoting competition. The ministry, he stressed, would be keeping strict watch on PTCL's attitude whether it is helping competition or stifling growth. He said that level playing field would be available to all.
The Minister, who represented Pakistan at a day-long investment conference in London, said that a large number of foreign companies with annual turnover ranging from $200 million to $300 million were keen to invest in Pakistan's IT and telecom sector in partnership with serious local players.
Secretary IT and Communication Khalid Saeed said that ICT offered the biggest sector for investment opportunities. Estimates of the World Bank range form $5-6 billion over 7 years primarily because of the low telephone density, low infrastructure spread and the capacity of the market to absorb much more investment with good return on Investment.
Salman Taseer urged the government to help and support local businessmen as many of them are not able to match the resources and size of foreign firms turning to Pakistan's telecom and IT sectors for investment.
"It is necessary that financial and costing matters in the award of licences in the fixed-line sector should be given enough time to seek ways for supporting the local businessmen and investors," he suggested.