Pakistan improves 14 points on internet network residency index

Pakistan has improved its ranking in the internet network residency index (NRI) after the country jumped 14 points on the global index in 2021, the Senate was told on Friday.

During the question hour, the Information and Technology Ministry submitted a written response, informing that Pakistan’s ranking increased by 14 spots – from 111 to 97 -- in the Internet Network Residency Index.

The country now ranks 9th among subscribers and 68th in adopting new technologies.

The Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunications had last year approved the allocation of funds for the Universal Service Fund (USF) projects for -speed internet services and contracts for next-generation broadband.

Read more: Country’s internet penetration stands at 54%

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, speaking during the session, apprised the panel that the federal government was taking steps to make the country’s small airports functional.

He said different airports are not functional due to the non-availability of commercial flights, adding that a decision regarding making small airports operational will be made keeping in view the commercial viability of routes.

Noting the presence of the secretary of commerce, who had skipped the session last time, the chairman of the Senate said that the former could not attend the last meeting due to some reasons. The chair asked him to ensure the attendance of his officials.

Also read: Bolstering internet services

Science and Technology Minister Shibli Faraz also introduced a bill to legislate for the establishment of the National Meteorological Institute of Pakistan which was passed unanimously.

The upper house also offered Fateha for the soldiers, who were martyred in a terrorist attack on a security forces’ check post in Balochistan’s Kech district.

Science and Technology Minister Shibli Faraz also introduced a bill to legislate for the establishment of the National Meteorological Institute of Pakistan which was passed unanimously.