It is a gratifying fact that this year again Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has joined hands with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) by celebrating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) in Pakistan. "Better city, better life with ICTs" is the theme of WTISD for 2010.
This theme clearly reflects the importance of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in improving the quality of life in developing societies like Pakistan.
Today, this fact is being acknowledged world-wide that ICTs work like a catalyst in the development of emerging economies of the world. Billions of people living in cities have become dependant on ICT based facilities for their daily life activities. It is becoming difficult with the growing urban population to manage and administer the cities. This is when ICTs can be relied upon in finding solutions to all the problems faced in cities.
It gives me immense pleasure in saying that PTA has proactively realised this proportionality between growth of ICTs and social development. When we take a look on Pakistan's situation, we find that about 33% of total population lives in urban centers. After achieving considerable success in providing better telecommunication facilities in the cities, we are also targeting the remote and underserved areas of the country to bring them at par with technologically developed cities and towns. Our mission is to make a common man aware of the revolution that ICTs can bring into his life.
For this purpose, PTA is emphasising on the growth, usage and penetration of broadband to every nook and corner of the country. PTA has also engaged all the stakeholders of the local industry and the regional countries in an effective dialogue. It has sought their contributions and collaboration to plan roadmap for the future of the telecom industry. PTA also collects money for Universal Service Fund (USF) and R & D Fund from its licensees which is spent effectively on provision of telecom services in under served and un-served areas, research and development projects for IT & telecom sectors respectively resulting in the growth of ICT sector.
We are aware of the fact that majority of Pakistani population is illiterate and less familiar with the use of English language contents that is why we are now focusing on the development of local contents and applications. Besides, PTA has launched the Urdu version of its website and has also taken number of other steps in this regard. We assure our support and encouragement to the operators in introducing local contents and applications in the fields of education, agriculture, commerce, banking and other areas of common interest. Each of our claims is supported with tangible initiatives and measurable results. One can go through the success story of Pakistan's telecom sector to understand PTA's role and contribution.
To celebrate WTISD this year, apart from other measures, PTA has also organised an essay writing competition. Papers have been invited from the general public on the current theme of WTISD. Emphasis has been given to seek concrete recommendations from the participants and cash prizes are being awarded to the best essays. The recommendations would be part of PTA's future policies with a focus on more affordable and equitable access to information and knowledge through ICTs. PTA's vision in this regard is inline with ITU's mission which aims at achieving greener, safer, healthier, prosperous, inclusive and well-managed cities where over half the world's population resides.
On this occasion, I once again assure that PTA is working sincerely and will continue its efforts with full zeal and zest for the rapid development of ICTs in Pakistan.