ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Anusha Rehman on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that foreign direct investment (FDI) has reached 60 percent in the telecom sector.
Replying to a question in the NA she said that after launching 3G and 4G technologies, the number of mobile users increased by 26 million, and the ministry received three international awards for developments in the telecom sector.
She said that 5G (Fifth Generation) was a commercial marketing term referring to the next major phase of mobile telecommunications standard technology. It is expected that 5G networks would be rolled out in 2020 in the world. She said foreign investment in the telecom sector increased from 160.8 million dollars in 2102-13 to 908 million in 2104-15. The minister said that realizing the full potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in socio economic development, the Ministry of IT’s special focus was on developing ICT skills and capacity building of youth for entrepreneurship.
She said the ministry had taken many initiatives that include Prime Minister’s National ICT Scholarship programme which aims to provide quality ICT education to the deserving talented youth of the rural marginalised areas of Pakistan.
Since 2013, fully funded scholarships amounting to approximately Rs1.1 billion have been offered to 909 students across Pakistan to pursue four years ICT degree programmes in the top universities of Pakistan.
She informed that through the National Grassroots ICT Research Initiative, funding was provided to undergraduate ICT students of public and private sector universities for their final year projects - Rs54.72 million have already been provided to 866 Final Year Projects.
Anusha said the ministry has partnered with Microsoft to establish computer labs in baitulmal women empowerment centres impart computer trainings to girls across Pakistan.
“Workshops have been organised with MIT Enterprise Forum of Pakistan and CEOs of leading IT companies to train youth for launching successful IT businesses,” the minister added.