Govt extending roaming facility’s scope to motorways, highways

ISLAMABAD: The government is extending the national roaming facility’s scope to motorways and national highways for the benefit of commuters. The institutions concerned are actively working on it.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (ITT) Dr Umar Saif announced that the facility’s scope was being expanded without any charges. He made the announcement in his visit to the headquarters of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) the other day.

He said the government was taking all possible steps to promote the telecom sector in the country. PTA Chairman Maj-Gen (r) Hafeezur Rehman, Member Compliance & Enforcement PTA, Dr Khawar Sidique Khokhar, and senior officers of MoIT&T and PTA were present.

Senior officers briefed the minister about the functions of PTA, regulatory initiatives and the overall performance of the telecom sector. The minister was informed that the PTA had consistently facilitated the thriving telecom industry in Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art telecom, broadband and ICT services. The challenges faced by the sector and the regulator’s ongoing efforts to address them were also discussed.

Umar Saif stressed the importance of taking timely actions to address consumer complaints related to telecom operators. He proposed establishing a mechanism that enhances the PTA’s role in promoting public welfare and social initiatives.

The minister expressed the hope that the establishment of a telecommunication tribunal would expedite the resolution of consumer, telecom operator and PTA matters.

“To connect with the digital world, it is necessary to provide digital facilities to the people,” he said and assured full support of MoITT to PTA for its regulatory initiatives in ensuring the continued growth of the telecom sector of Pakistan. He appreciated the PTA’s role in uplifting the telecom sector and underscored the importance of investment-friendly policies and enabling regulatory frameworks.

Dr. Umar Saif visited PTA’s National Telecom Security Operations Center (NTSOC) and exchanged views with the officials working with the center. He appreciated their services and mode of working.