Sustainability Report for 2020: Telenor Pakistan has contributed Rs372bn to the exchequer since 2005

ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has invested $4.7 billion in the country and contributed Rs 372 billion to the national exchequer in terms of taxes since 2005, says the company in its “Sustainability Report for 2020”, released here on Monday.

The report details the company’s ongoing efforts to digitally transform the society, while contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

The Sustainability Report showcases Telenor Pakistan’s motivation to lead the country towards digitalisation with innovative and inclusive ICT solutions in areas of banking, agriculture, healthcare, digital skills, and education, to name just a few.

The organisation contributed Rs 1.6 billion towards the Covid-19 relief efforts.

In partnership with Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the organisation provided food ration packs for 4,500 underprivileged families and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to doctors and paramedics across the country.

The in-kind contribution comprised telecom and digital services, which include affordable internet, customised packages public awareness campaigns, and donation collection through the My Telenor App, among others.

The Sustainability Report 2020 highlights these achievements, while reflecting the organisation’s business strategy and purpose to empower societies.

The report also reiterates Telenor Pakistan’s commitment to the UN SDGs, with a focus on goal #10, Reduced Inequalities.

The report discusses Telenor Pakistan’s achievements in digitally registering 1.3 million births across nine districts of the country, through its Digital Birth Registration project.

Through its Safe Internet and School Outreach initiative, Telenor Pakistan has educated more than 700,000 students across Pakistan on safe and responsible use of the internet since inception of the program.

This was done as part of Telenor’s global interactive curriculum Digiworld, designed to help children safely navigate the online world.

Telenor Pakistan’s “Naya Aghaaz” program trains and equips young Pakistani women with the tools necessary to succeed in any organisation.

So far, the company has employed 69 women from the program, and most of the other participants are also building successful careers in different organisations.

With a network of over 12,000 sites, covering 87 percent of the population, Telenor Pakistan also contributed over Rs 372 billion to the national exchequer as direct and indirect taxes.

In collaboration with the Universal Service Fund, Telenor Pakistan also ensured coverage in the remotest areas of the country.

Despite Covid-19, Telenor Pakistan continued to speed-up digital adoption in the country, while ensuring a sustainable supply chain through responsible business practices.

Telenor Pakistan Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Kamal Ahmed stated that during the course of last year, the world came face-to-face with the unprecedented challenges of this pandemic.

We witnessed frailty and devastation across the globe. But more importantly, we saw that no adversity - no matter how grave it may be - can conquer humanity’s determination and resolve. Even during the pandemic, Telenor Pakistan continued to strive to bridge the digital divide - assisting communities across Pakistan, through the power of connectivity, he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021