Govt aims to build knowledge economy in Pakistan: Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Sunday said the government aimed to build knowledge economy in Pakistan and the telecom sector had a role to play in achieving this ambition.

“Digitalisation is high on the government’s agenda and is the only way forward to keep pace with the global developments. A technical committee is working on initiation of 5-G service,” Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad about impact of telecom sector on Pakistan’s economy.

He said that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) was the backbone of digital transformation in the country and telecom was a sector enabling other sectors to digitalise processes and create ease of connectivity.

The government was preparing a new policy for social media, the minister said adding that the government could not compromise on social values of the country.

He said according to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), 75% cellular teledensity in Pakistan gave the hope of reaching inclusions milestones sooner than later.

The role of telecom sector in bringing millions of undeserved people into the folds of digital and financial inclusion had been remarkable, he said.

The federal minister said that connectivity was the backbone of industries and sectors that empowered individuals with increased access to information and fast response rate.

“The telecom sector has contributed immensely towards socioeconomic development of Pakistan and we hope to see it prosper further,” Siddiqui said.