It is gratifying to note that the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is being celebrated, under the theme "Better Cities, Better Life with ICTs" in Pakistan as well as across the globe to mark the 145th anniversary of the establishment of the International Telecommunication Unit (ITU).
The efforts and initiatives undertaken by the ITU for the promotion, development and standardisation of telecommunication across the globe are appreciable. ITU has always played pivotal role in successfully laying the foundations of a just, equitable and people-centeric Information Society. The celebration of this day, is indeed a landmark in global community's efforts to involve all stakeholders in creating awareness among the people, highlighting problems and look for solution through use of ICTs.
Convergence of telecommunication and IT services has created a global telecommunication and information society infrastructure, connected to information networks across the world. Our telecommunication systems are interlinked. Online transactions, e-commerce, banking, telemedicine, e-government and other e-initiatives are extensively being deployed through out the developed and developing world. Trend in Pakistan is no different than presently witnessed in other economies. The overwhelming availability of converged telecommunication and IT services now gives a true picture of future cities and harmonious life style.
Smart buildings, smart grids that will create greater energy efficiency, Intelligent transport system that will significantly improve the travel quality. Multimedia conferencing systems and tele-working technologies will definitely reduce the travel. E-health services provide opportunities for "Safety & Quality" in health care. e-Banking, e/m-Commerce and e-Agriculture improve trade and Production. In a nutshell ICTs have an important role in urban and rural sustainability and better life of citizens.
Mitigate human suffering, promote peace, stem environment imbalance and lead towards restoration of natures bounties for all in equality and foster mother earth's equilibrium. The Government is promoting an enabling environment for harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies from radio to mobile media and the internet for benefit of each and every individual, including the marginalised and most vulnerable.
It is Government's vision to create a knowledge society based on quality education for all, freedom of expression, universal access to information and knowledge and respect for cultural and linguistic diversity becomes a reality across the world. ITU has been precise in selecting the theme for this year's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, as "Better City, Better Life with ICTs" This will generate awareness among our masses to change and improve their quality of life with the ICT revolution . This effort will also lead to our resolve to encourage the efforts for "Green Telecom" in Pakistan.
Today, we stand as a proud nation for having made significant progress in developing a broad-based and state-of-the-art telecommunication infrastructure. We possess one of the advanced telecommunication infrastructure not only in the region but also amongst the developing countries. Furthermore, focused and concerted efforts are aligned towards providing citizen-centric services for the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan. I am confident that the trends of development in Information and Communication Technologies will continue to improve the lifestyle of our citizens. Government of Pakistan is committed to disseminate ICT services and its benefits across the length and breadth of the country.
I would once again like to congratulate all associated with the Information and Communication Technology sector and would urge them to keep themselves abreast with the latest developments in ICT for promoting the country's IT and telecommunication industry in synchronisation with the international trends.