Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are the driving force for the development of knowledge based prosperous economies and offers unparalleled opportunities, commensurate with social benefits, which lead to the improvement of life in urban as well as rural areas. In rural areas, ICTs directly contribute to the economic growth by creating access to economic opportunities and help in eradication of illiteracy, unemployment, and poverty.
ICTs role has transformed into an enabler of growth and development so it is very important to provide universal, affordable and equitable ICTs access to attaih Millennium Development Goals. Co-operation and knowledge sharing with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have helped in narrowing the digital divide with the provision of affordable and equitable access to information and quality services. ITU has always contributed generously in the wake of natural calamities in Pakistan. Last year's floods in Pakistan caused substantial damage to the telecommunication infrastructure, which severely hampered relief operations. ITU has provided telecommunication equipment including satellite phones and data terminals for rehabilitation of infrastructure and relief operations in flood affected areas.
World Telecom and Information Society (WTIS) Day is being celebrated world-wide on May 17th to mark the 146th anniversary of establishment of ITU, with the theme - "Better life in rural communities with ICTs", which directly relates to Pakistan where approximately 60% population resides in rural far flung areas. As a long-term approach for socio-economic development in rural areas, the government of Pakistan has accorded highest priority to the development of ICT infrastructure and applications in un-served and under-served areas for the provision of quality services, education, employment generation, and reduction in poverty. To achieve these goals all the stakeholders including Government, IT and Telecom industry and academia must have to come on board.
Realising Government's role as a facilitator and enabler to provide maximum opportunities to the private sector, the Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) has prepared various policies, which have effectively increased quality and choice of services available for businesses and consumers at affordable prices and have served to protect national security interests, extend IT and telecom services to un-served and under-served areas of the country and promote fair competition. These telecom policies are technology neutral and are backed up by the requisite regulations of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). At present, the policies are under review to cater for all the new requirements that have emerged after start of convergence era so that the sector stays dynamic.
Universal Service Fund (USF) Company, established by Ministry of Information Technology to spread the benefits of the telecom revolution to all corners of Pakistan, is a success story and delight for Pakistan. Today, Pakistan is being acknowledged as a leader in USF Programs and providing expert assistance all around the world. USF facilitates licensed service providers for the development of telecommunication services, broadband proliferation and deployment of fiber based backbone networks in un-served and under-served remote areas. Different projects for the establishment of community tele-centers and tele-medicine has been started as well. The total subsidy committed by USF for various projects has reached PKR 15.17 billion.
In order to fully reap the success of USF, utilisation of the infrastructure is very important, which cannot be achieved without provision of quality education. The year 2011 is dedicated to Education in Pakistan. With the use of ICTs, schools in rural areas are being connected in order to connect the communities and to provide affordable and universal access to every citizen. National ICF R&D Fund was established by the Ministry of Information Technology for the capacity building in the field of ICTs. More than 2,200 students from rural remote areas have been offered fully-funded National CT Scholarships, to complete their undergraduate degrees in ICT related disciplines in prominent universities of the country since 2007.
Teachers and students of HSSC-level are also being trained to increase their respective skills. Total approved budget for these fully-funded scholarships is Rs 2.415 billion with partial funding of Rs 1.037 billion under PSDP, Government of Pakistan. It is my immense pleasure to share that Ministry of IT is abreast with the technology advancement and striving for the development and utilization of ICT infrastructure and applications in collaboration with all the stakeholders.