IT Ministry Approves Rs 32.13 Bn Budget For USF, Rs 3.75 Bn For Ignite
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published June 20, 2022 | 07:08 PM
The Policy Committee and Research and Development Fund of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications on Monday principally approved a budget of Rs 32.13 billion for the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Rs 3.75 billion for the National Technology Fund (Ignite) for the financial year 2022-23
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jun, 2022 ) :The Policy Committee and Research and Development Fund of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications on Monday principally approved a budget of Rs 32.13 billion for the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Rs 3.75 billion for the National Technology Fund (Ignite) for the financial year 2022-23.
The approval was given in a meeting of the committee, which was presided over by Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Syed Amin-Ul-Haque, said a news release.
USF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harris Mahmood Chaudhary and Ignite CEO Asim Shahryar briefed the meeting on the performance of their respective organizations and shared the details regarding the budgetary allocation for the both departments.
IT Minister Amin-Ul-Haque said the USF had done record work for providing broadband services in the last four years.
"In the 13 years from 2006 to 2019, the number of USF projects was limited to 59, after which directives were issued to speed up number and enhance the performance.
As a result, 65 Broadband Service and OFC projects were launched from 2019 to date, which is a record," he added.
Syed Amin-Ul-Haque said as a result of telecom policies and provision of broadband services to un-served and under-served areas, the number of telecom subscribers had reached a record level of 193 million by May 30, 2022. Similarly, the number of 3g and 4g subscribers in the country had crossed 114 million while the number of those using broadband services reached 117 million.
"It is necessary to relax strict conditions, including tax enforcement, and give maximum relaxation to the IT industry and freelancers, otherwise, it is feared that if IT companies and freelancers were not given facilities, including tax incentives, the industry will shut down soon," the minister observed.
The meeting was attended by Secretary IT Mohsin Mushtaq, additional secretary finance, member telecom and other officials.
Recent Stories
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Cente ..
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Mohsin Naqvi visits Police Facilitation center, directs 24 hour service for citizens
2 minutes ago -
Citywide anti-encroachment campaign launched: Mayor Karachi
12 minutes ago -
Citizens demand action against professional beggars
12 minutes ago -
KP Open Shooting Gala concludes
12 minutes ago -
Seminar on dengue
12 minutes ago -
Kite seller held
12 minutes ago
-
SCCI for simplifying procedure to enhance arms, ammunition export
22 minutes ago -
Federal Ombudsman KP Office decides to extend awareness campaign to educational institutions
22 minutes ago -
Setting up modern GTS need of the hour: MD SSWMB
32 minutes ago -
Keamari police bust major gutka smuggling attempt
42 minutes ago -
Minister proposes plan to remove congestion on busy roads in big cities
42 minutes ago -
Passco continue operations to procure 75000 ton wheat in Burewala zone, says zonal head
52 minutes ago