News Items Covering Electrocure - Ignite Funded Project Contradicted

An implementation body for funding technology research and development activities, Ignite on Friday contradicted a new item published in a section of media regarding Electrocure Project.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Sep, 2018 ) :An implementation body for funding technology research and development activities, Ignite on Friday contradicted a new item published in a section of media regarding Electrocure Project.

Some quarters of media consequent to Meeting of Senate Standing Committee of Information Technology and Telecommunications held on September 12 and referring to presentation delivered by Ignite on R&D activities, have erroneously reported that Ministry of IT and Ignite officials had attributed delay in roll-out of an electricity theft management solution system funded by Ignite, to indifference of then Ministers of IT and Finance.

A Spokesperson of Ignite, an attached Body of Ministry of Information Technology said this was factually incorrect, and no such accusation was made by either Ministry officials or those of Ignite.

Whereas "Electrocure," an R & D initiative of UET Peshawar researchers funded by Ignite, has capability to address electricity line losses and theft in the country.

Ignite's role is limited to funding such research. Neither the Ministry nor Ignite have mandate to scale out its deployment which is prerogative of the researchers developing the solution, the Spokesperson said.

Therefore, non-interest of the Ministry or previous Ministers of IT and Telecommunications or Finance in its roll-out across electricity distribution network does not even arise.

Rather, it was pointed out during the meeting that Public-Private Partnership Authority of the government which would need to play a role in setting up a financing mechanism for roll-out by researchers in collaboration with foreign investors, has not yet had a board Meeting to treat such future possibilities and arrangements.

"We appreciate attention and recognition given to Ministry of IT and Ignite activities by Senatorsand media," the Spokesperson said, adding that Ignite would continue to fund meaningful R & Dactivities capable of addressing important national challenges through use of deep technology.