‘Pakistan offers immense ICT investment opportunities’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecom revolution has made the country a lucrative destination for both the local and foreign investors, a minister said on Tuesday. 

“Pakistan offers ample opportunities for investment in the telecom sector and the government accords highest priority to the development of IT (information technology) and telecom sector,” Anusha Rehman, minister for IT and telecom said, during a meeting with Jon Eddy, head of Emerging Markets Vimpelcom Limited, which owns Mobilink.

Rehman said the liberal and investment-friendly policies, economic reforms introduced by the present government, are phenomenal.  “Nothing less than a telecom revolution has been witnessed in IT and telecom sector,” she added. “We believe in growth through public- private partnership and expect Mobilink to play a more meaningful role in realising the vision of digital Pakistan.” 

Minister Rehman said the government is pursuing the vision of digital Pakistan by connecting people of un-served /under-served areas and providing platforms for e-services.  “We believe in culmination of digital divide that’s why under-served and marginalised areas of the country are      our main focus,” she said. 

Eddy appreciated the government’s telecom policy, which has spurred healthy competition among the leading cellular companies. “Pakistan’s telecom sector has great potential and Mobilink has expanded its network and operations in Pakistan and (is) using Pakistan as a hub for (providing) all the services to its affiliates,” Eddy said.  He reiterated his company’s commitment towards facilitating the people of Pakistan with modern information and communication technology solutions.