Mechanism needed: Minister stresses need for ICT data collection

ICT indicators can help monitor poverty reduction, economic growth

ISLAMABAD: Stressing the importance of data reporting, Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rehman has said that there is a need to take a proactive approach to develop a comprehensive mechanism for collecting all relevant information and communication technology (ICT) data.

She was speaking at the Pakistan ICT indicators symposium here on Monday, which was jointly organised by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom and International Telecommunication Union.

The theme of the symposium was the multi-stakeholder engagement to highlight the need of ICT data reporting. Rehman said ICT indicators were related to newly formulated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She said these indicators could help monitor the achievements in areas such as poverty reduction, education and economic growth. “We all need to take a proactive approach to develop a comprehensive mechanism to collect all relevant ICT data,” she stated.

The minister said Pakistan had shown tremendous progress in the telecom sector over the last few years and it had also achieved some exceptional milestones.

Similarly, on the policy front, finalisation and approval of a comprehensive telecommunication policy was yet another milestone.

Earlier, speaking at the event, Ministry of Information Technology Secretary Rizwan Bashir Khan said the government was committed to enhancing the quality of manpower in the ICT sector. “We will continue to provide the necessary support to the industry,” he stated.

Khan added there was a need for close cooperation between the operators, equipment manufacturers and content providers if the ICT sector was to contribute to the gross domestic product.

He appreciated efforts of the PTA for proliferation of the ICT sector and said the local content and applications had generated new forms of consumption and attracted a large number of consumers.

PTA Chairman Ismail Shah said in order to take advantage of the rapidly changing society, governments needed to monitor and benchmark the progress in order to design and review national policies and strategies.

He pointed out that reliable data and indicators on the access and use of ICTs and their impact on development had to be defined and collected.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2016.

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