Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) & Telecom, Raja Pervez Ashraf Thursday said the government is committed to the development of information and communication technologies, infrastructure and applications for the provision of quality services, education, employment generation and women empowerment.
He said the government was fully committed to make maximum participation of women in the field of IT, following the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
While addressing on the occasion of “World Telecommunication and Information Society Day” he reiterated that his ministry would continue expanding IT network to the masses particularly to fill the gap of Urban-Rural Dichotomy. Earlier Secretary IT and Telecom, Farooq Awan in his welcoming address informed the guests and audience about the ongoing projects under his ministry and said IT sector has shown marvelous achievements during last four years. He also said that the ministry is working on broadening the Broad Band Network which he said was the foremost priority of the ministry. He informed that currently there are 1700 IT companies operating in Pakistan which was a symbol of customers & service providers’ trust on the policies and services of the ministry and its allied departments. The event was attended by a large number of professionals, government officials, companies’ representatives and students. The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. This day (May 17), marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union.
ICT to accelerate efforts against profiteers: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has decided to continue the on-going price checking drive in city and ensure implementation on rate list of food items. The source said that stability in the prices of food items would be ensured as administration has directed the shopkeepers to display the rate list of fruit and vegetables.
He said that Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Amer Ali Ahmed has also ensured that protection of the consumers interests would be priority of the administration and availability of fruit and vegetables would be ensured at the control rates.
Assistant Commissioners and Magistrates would continue price checking drive in their areas and they would also hold meetings with the traders to solve their problems, the source added. Encroachments would also be removed from the markets and traders co-operation would be sought in this regard. He said that CDA has been also asked to issue the same rate list of food items to the CDA stall holders in the markets which is being issued to the CDA weekly bazaars. Stall holders of markets have been directed to display their licenses issued by the CDA failing which stern action would be taken against the offenders, the source maintained.
