ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday announced a series of steps to deepen Information Technology penetration to the remotest areas of the country and to make it widely accessible to the masses.
Addressing a gathering to mark the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day here at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, the Prime Minister also directed to speed up work on the 3G technology.
"The incumbent governments that implemented it won the next election," he said in a lighter vein.
The Prime Minister announced creation of a venture capital fund of Rs.1 billion for encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship research and development in IT industry.
He directed the Ministry of IT to provide community computers in schools and Inter colleges across the country, Union Councils IT Centers and other rural hubs within next three months.
Gilani believed that it would help achieve multiple objectives of smart schooling, community skills, women empowerment and financial inclusion of rural communities be achieved.
He directed the IT Ministry to work expeditiously for Union Council, IT Centers project and directed constitution of a company for output on fast track basis.
The Prime Minister announced annual ICT scholarship facility of Rs.300 million for female students, to reduce gender disparity in IT industry.
The Prime Minister called for use of satellite technology for dissemination of IT and conventional education. He announced a satellite-based interactive education project and directed Ministry of IT and Ministry of Information to evolve a joint strategy in this regard.
He directed the Capital Development Authority to increase Broadband Penetration by making Broadband wiring mandatory in every building plan.
He also directed the provincial governments, to make broadband wiring mandatory in building design codes before approval of building plan.
The Prime Minister directed Ministry of IT to formulate a policy for providing pick and drop transportation facility for IT workers and said it was necessary for a safe commute from home to work place and back.
"Likewise compliance with provision of laws for maternity leave and other social protection measures has to be ensured," he added.
Prime Minister Gilani asked the Ministry of Information Technology to organize an e-Media ICT Conference to chart a road map "to achieve digital development goals to bring Pakistan on World map as a safe, secure and high potential land of opportunity."
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