Pakistan is ready for 5 G technology: Ahsan Iqbal

KARACHI: Interior Minister, Dr. Ahsan Iqbal addressing a seminar "China Pakistan Economic Corridor Business Opportunities," here Tuesday said the country is ready for 5 G technology.

The event organized by federal ministry of planning and development in collaboration with Dawn Group of Newspapers was addressed by professionals from different fields including science and technology, business and media.

The minister said Pakistan Muslim League (PML - N) government in its endeavour to help pull country towards an over all digitalization was committed to take wide ranges of measures.

"We are ready for 5-G Technology," he said emphasizing that PML - N government is committed to promote technology induced development across the country.

"It is in the very spirit that 5-G technology will soon be readily available to the people," he said,

Mentioning that the present era is an era of knowledge and technology, the interior minister said CPEC project itself is in accordance to the vision of technology induced development.

He further emphasized that the government through an efficient strategy has been able to overcome security as well as energy related programs and that the country was fast on its way towards progress and prosperity.

Emphasizing that CPEC is a massive project, he said political stability in the country and continuity of policies will very soon turn Pakistan into a global hub of economic, financial and commercial activities.

As for Gwadar, he said importance of the world class sea port for the region itself can not be ignored and as an integral component of CPEC it will help connect different regions and contribute towards development in Asia as a whole.

"The developments taking place in Asia and steady progress being made in the fields of technology at the countries of the region will definitely turn the continent as a major contributor to the global GDP.

"This is not mere assumption that Asia will be contributing 52% of the world GDP by 2050," said Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

He further emphasized that giving in view the developments taking place around the world as well as among the neighboring countries, PML - N government as a policy had embarked upon series of infrastructure development schemes so as to raise the living standards of the masses.

"Power generation projects coupled with improved communication and transportation schemes initiated during past four years are registered to be making the needed difference in the national economy as well as in the lives of the people," claimed the minister.

Reiterating that "poverty alleviation" is among the top priorities of the government, he said a comprehensive scheme has also been chalked out to generate optimum employment opportunities for the people through adequate attention towards industrialization, service sector and agriculture growth on scientific lines.

"Youth who constitute a major proportion of our population are a blessing that ought to be adequately trained," he said referring to government efforts towards technology induced development in the country.

"This is all the more heartening to note that many of our talented youngsters are studying in reputable universities of China and also receiving training in the wide field of science and technology," he said.

"When PML (N) government assumed power in 2013 the economy was simply in shambles while security situation was also alarming," reminded the minister for interior.

Situation has changed, he said in particular context of Karachi.

Former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Ishrat Hussain on the occasion said Peoples Republic of China is an important country and its friendly ties with Pakistan provides all opportunities of over all development in the region.

The opportunities, including what is available in form of CPEC must not be allowed to go in waste, said the senior economist.

Taking exception to those creating doubts about CPEC, he said the project will help development opportunities for the least developed parts of the country besides helping Pakistan to emerge as a major international market with direct impact on the lives of the masses.