PM Shehbaz announces historic IT and telecom development budget

Prime minister made announcement during a meeting with a four-member delegation of the GSM Association

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ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that the federal government has allocated a historic development budget in the current fiscal year to promote the Information Technology and Telecom sectors.

He emphasised that the incumbent government is prioritising steps to increase the country’s IT exports.

The prime minister made these remarks during a meeting with a four-member delegation of the GSM Association, led by its Asia Pacific head, Julian Gorman, according to a press release from the PM Office Media Wing.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Khawaja Fatima, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, and other senior officials.

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PM Shehbaz noted the significant and vital role of GSMA in the digitisation process and welcomed the holding of the Digital National Summit in Islamabad to promote telecommunication and IT.

He said that mechanisms for IT sector reforms and digitisation are being implemented, with a focus on improving the common man’s access to the internet, digital infrastructure, e-governance, and professional training for youth in digital skills and innovations, as well as promoting business in this sector.

"Our vision envisages access to smartphones for every individual, broadband internet facilities for every household, and QR Code facilities for all businesses," the prime minister said, according to the press release.

The delegation informed the prime minister about GSMA's role in promoting telecom services worldwide, including in Pakistan, and expressed keen interest in enhancing cooperation with the government in the IT and telecom sectors.