Govt to launch ‘contract-based smartphones policy’ from Jan 15

ISLAMABAD: The government has announced the launch of ‘Contract-based Smartphones Policy’ scheme from January 15, 2024 to facilitate the people traveling to other countries in getting the latest model phones on easy installments.

The scheme for smartphone accessibility will be expanded subsequently for the benefit of other users.

The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif on Friday, where he said the ministry in coordination with the stakeholders of telecom companies was going to launch the policy from the next month that had been approved after thorough discussions with the stakeholders.

“Our aim is to incentivise responsible financial behavior and ensure that smartphone accessibility continues to expand. We need a robust mechanism to protect investors from defaults through measures such as blocking mobile phones and, potentially, national identity cards of defaulters,” the minister said.

Dr Umar Saif said that under this policy, telecom companies will have an opportunity to directly offer smartphones to customers through installment plans, thereby expanding the benefits of mobile broadband, especially among low-income segments in Pakistan.

To a query, he said that his ministry was also introducing ‘Standardized Quality Measurement Tests’ from January 7 to 10 across the country’s universities to ensure job opportunities for fresh graduates. The ministry has made significant decisions to revamp Information Technology education in universities in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), National Computing Accreditation Council, Examination Testing Council, Pakistan Software Export Board and Pakistan Software Houses Association, he added.

The minister said that with an aim to provide job opportunities through another countrywide programme, around 20,000 to 25,000 students will be offered job opportunities through the Industry Placement Programme after they have passed the test. “We will allocate funds to support special industry courses in universities, designed to prepare students for current industry trends and needs. We also aim to increase our trained manpower in industrial sector,” he added.

He stressed the need to attach importance to aligning educational institutions which can fulfil industry requirements and facilitate industry-specific training manpower. The minister asked the universities to take rapid action to start new quality courses in entrepreneurship and exports for students. Dr Saif, while responding to a question, maintained, “We have planned to make exponential growth in the IT sector as it is necessary for us to bring productivity revolution in our economy by using information and communications technology.”