The World Telecommunication and Information Society (WTIS) Day, celebrated on 17th May, is indeed a landmark in the global community's efforts to address the issues related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)/ Telecommunications world-wide.
Pakistan, being an active member of International Telecommunication Union (ITU), commemorates the WTIS Day each year in a dignified manner in collaboration with industry stakeholders. This year, ITU selected theme - "Better City, Better Life with ICTs", aims to ensure that ICTs will contribute to a better future for the growing populations of urban centres. Ministry of IT (MoIT) has planned ancillary events for stimulating reflection and exchange of ideas on the theme and debating various aspects of the theme with all the partners in society. These events in juxtaposition with that of other events organised by other member states of ITU will help improve awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other ICTs can bring to societies and economies.
ICTs are the remarkable innovations in the history of mankind that not only transcend the time and distance but also provide efficient resources for provision of e-services to common citizens. This year theme is more relevant for developing countries, keeping in view the proven potential of cross-sector development with ICTs. It is further complemented by increasing trend of broadband proliferation.
In Pakistan, due to Government of Pakistan's (GoP) policies and focus on broadband proliferation, the broadband sector of Pakistan is showing growth, operators are developing infrastructure and uptake is encouraging. MoIT resolves to mobilise more effectively the available resources for carrying forward the theme and its reflection in regional, national and global programs and activities.
ICTs have the ability to add value to broadband enabled telecommunication infrastructure for provision of innovative services. Market is witnessing paradigm shift from voice to value added services like Mobile Banking, Video Conferencing, Virtual Campuses/Universities and Telemedicine. Government Departments.
Non-Governmental Organizations, Disaster Management Authorities, Small and Medium Enterprises and other progressive organisations are integrating ICTs in their operations and decision making. MoIT is also mindful of the fact that ICTs adoption has to be dealt with prudently as the users (people and machines) especially innocent citizens can be subjected to hazards as they embark on the global information highway.
I am confident that our endeavours in this regard will yield better results. Our efforts would be to further strengthen the interactive and inter-complementary process of co-operation and assistance among the member states of ITU, to learn from each other's experiences and adopt right strategies to bring about qualitative change in the lives of our people.