Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) & Telecom, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday said the government is committed to the development of information and communication technologies (ICT), infrastructure and applications for the provision of quality services, education, employment generation and women empowerment.
He said the government is fully committed to make maximum participation of women in the field of IT, following the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. While addressing on the occasion of "World Telecommunication and Information Society Day" (WTISD) he reiterated that his ministry would continue expanding IT network to the masses particularly to fill the gap of urban-rural dichotomy.
Earlier Secretary IT and Telecom, Farooq Awan in his welcoming address informed the guests and audience about the ongoing projects under his ministry and said IT sector has shown marvellous achievements during last four years. He also said that the ministry is working on broadening the broad band network which he said was the foremost priority of the ministry.
He informed that currently there are 1700 IT companies operating in Pakistan which was a symbol of customers & service providers' trust on the policies and services of the ministry and its allied departments. The event was attended by a large number of professionals, government officials, companies' representatives and students.
The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. This day (May 17), marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union.