The government has dropped Telephone Industry of Pakistan (TIP), a loss-making entity, from the privatisation list and is mulling establishing mobile phone handsets plant in collaboration with private sector for its revival. This was revealed by Federal Minister for Infor-mation Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, flanked by Secretary Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, while briefing media persons on one-year achievements here on Wednesday. The minister said that a meeting has been held with Etisalat. The government is committed to fulfilling all legal requirements for the recovery of 'outstanding' amount, said the minister, adding that both sides have cordial relations, but Pakistan will fight for its due rights.
Replying to a question, the minister said that the government has formally dropped TIP from the privatisation list. He said that talks are underway with a different Chinese company for establishing mobile handset manufacturing plant.
The minister admitted that due to absence of online payment system, the country is suffering and especially the freelancers. As of 30th June 2019, IT & IT enabled Services (ITeS) export remittances have surged to $900 million compared to $800 million at a growth rate of 8.19 percent, whereas, Pakistan Software Exports Board (PSEB) estimates that total IT & ITeS exports are $ 4.1 billion. Due to lack of online payment gateway, the country is not receiving the IT sector related benefits to the full. The minister further said that talks in this regard are underway with 5 to 6 players and would be finalised soon.
A meeting was recently held with a team of Financial Transactions Control Systems (FTCS) of Sweden where matters related to payment gateway solutions in Pakistan were discussed. The minister blamed the previous government for causing delay in licence renewal of cellular mobile companies while saying that operators were not informed on time in this regard. However, he said the matter is in the court and would be resolved soon.
Replying to another question, the minister said that China has its own Facebook, Twitter and Youtube and if felt necessary, Pakistan would also think about it.
He further said that teledensity has been increased to 75-80 percent and around 160 million people are benefiting from mobile phones in the country in one or other shape. He further said that projects have been launched to provide voice & broadband services in areas of North / South Waziristan and far-flung areas of Balochistan.
The minister also announced that the government would establish IT Regulatory Authority on the pattern of PMDC to regulate IT-related education and introduce a standard for IT graduates and certificates holders. Around 25,000 IT graduates complete their education every year in the country, however only 5,000-6,000 graduates get jobs due to gap in industry and academia linkages.
Siddiqui said the government has decided to establish special economic zone for technological purposes in Islamabad.
The minister said that an international information technology exhibition/conference would be held next month in Karachi where 300-500 international IT experts would participate. The event would give an opportunity to young IT students to showcase their talent and create new job opportunities.
The minister said that Pakistan has nuclear weapons for its defence and not for sale. He said that India has become a threat to global peace.
Shedding lights on the ongoing tussle over lifting garbage in Karachi, Siddiqui said that local government in Sindh is not independent financially and administratively. He said that the 18th Constitutional amendment has resulted in accumulation of power in provinces instead of devolving power.