Govt to consider ‘digital Pakistan Policy’ draft: Anusha

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha Rahman said on Thursday that the government would consider draft ‘Digital Pakistan Policy’ today (Friday) under chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and different initiatives would be made part of the budget 2018-19 if granted approval by the federal cabinet.

Anusha Rahman said this while talking to reporters here after addressing graduation ceremony of Incubation Centre established by Jazz here on Friday.

In her address, she said that prime minister would be inaugurating another National Incubation Centre at Karachi today. About launch of 5G services in Pakistan, she said that the decision to this effect would be taken by the next government.

The 3G services, she said, were launched with a delay of 14 years while 4G with a delay of ten years, but this gap could be reduced for launching new technologies in future. “While we embark on the journey of empowering our communities through technology, it is pertinent to look at other countries, which are ahead of us on the digitalisation curve”, she added.

Anusha Rehman said first time in the history of IT sector of the country, such a huge investment of Rs26 billion was being made in Balochistan which aims to target hundreds of villages to connect with 3G service.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jazz Amir Ibrahim said, “Being a leading digital company with global expertise through VEON, Jazz believes in empowering societies. “We are doing so by building a healthy, robust startup eco system and bridging digital divide through our vast data network”, he said.

He said the next step is to ensure a digital eco system that not only supports our endeavours, but also assists the government in achieving its SDGs.