Pakistan to get universal connectivity by 2018

Pakistan to get universal connectivity by 2018

While chairing the 47^th Board of Directors Meeting of the Universal Support Fund, on Thursday, the Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, Anusha Rahman, announced the government’s commitment to achieving all its technology milestones including ensuring the entire country has connectivity.

During this meeting they reviewed progress being made on the major projects that are underway under the guidance of the Universal Support Fund.  This included the focus on internet connectivity for the Balochistan and Fata regions.  The CEO announced that an agreement had been signed with Ufone for two areas, Khuzdar and Chagai, in line with the Broadband for Sustainable Development project.

Other areas to be started in the following days include Kohistan, Kharan, Washuk and Kohlu.  He also announced that at this time the company had reached 50% of its milestones in Zhob/Sibi and Shangla areas, and expected to reach 75% in the following 6 months.

Women are currently receiving the benefits from funds raised by the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), and to this end the data that has been received will be the start of a project which will provide 30,000 phones that are broadband-enabled, to women in poorly served areas of the country.

In addition to this, the Minister and her ministry along with the Universal Support Fund would be directing their attention to training in Information Technology for early childhood, and in particular young girls.

There is presently a programme being run in a school for girls in a rural area, which includes a computer lab and teacher training by Microsoft.

Conclusion

All these projects are aimed at providing internet connections to the remote and disenfranchised areas of the countryside, so that all citizens will benefit from the development of Information Technology in Pakistan.

The Minister has ordered all involved to complete these tasks transparently and efficiently within the timelines that have been agreed upon.

image source: businessinsider.in