PM orders provision of internet facility to far-flung areas

Imran says education is a must for utilisation of talent

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan has lauded the measures taken for tele-schooling and provision of education through internet, saying that the facilitation of youth in receiving education is a must for utilisation of their talent.

“Speed up all necessary steps for inclusion of priority sectors like education in the jurisdiction of Universal Service Fund (USF) as it has done an exemplary work in broadening the mobile and internet coverage, especially in the backward and far-flung areas,” Premier Imran gave these directions while presiding over a high-level meeting on ensuring enhanced and improved coverage of internet in the country.

Federal ministers Shafqat Mehmood, Muhammad Hamad Azhar, Aminul Haq, Asad Umar, PM’s Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shekh, Special Assistant to PM Tania Aidrus, information technology secretary, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman, USF chief executive officer and other officers were in attendance.

Issues relating to telecom sector were also discussed during the meeting.

PM Imran also issued directions to consider the issues – easy access of internet for youth, provision of cheaper packages and solving problems of the telecom sector – in the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) and take decisions within the next two weeks.

The meeting also discussed in detail the measures being taken to ensure enhanced and improved internet coverage and addressing the issues relating to the telecom sector.

The meeting discussed measures for easy access of internet for students and provision of cheaper packages to them.

During the meeting, views were also exchanged on various USF projects for ensuring mobile and internet coverage in the country's backward areas.

(With additional input from app)