Broadband Programme Playing Vital Role In Socio-economic Development: Anusha

Minister of State for Information Technology, Mrs. Anusha Rehman Khan on Friday said Broadband for Sustainable Development Programme was playing a good role in socio-economic development and facilitating people of remote areas to avail telecom facilities for a better future

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jan, 2018 ) :Minister of State for Information Technology, Mrs. Anusha Rehman Khan on Friday said Broadband for Sustainable Development Programme was playing a good role in socio-economic development and facilitating people of remote areas to avail telecom facilities for a better future.

Present government has been striving to enhance and expand telecom network significantly in under-served and un-served areas, she said while addressing an inaugural ceremony of Broadband for Sustainable Development Projects in FATA (Khyber and Mohmand Agency) and D.I.Khan worth Rs.3.43 billion.

Anusha Rehman reiterated present government's determination to promote and support initiatives to enhance Pakistan's capacity to deliver full value chain of security for people of all areas from rural and urban.

The Minister said she was pleased that with consistent efforts and spirit, Universal Service Fund (USF) was undertaking challenging and productive programmes for promotion of telecom related services.

Anusha Rehman said she was proud of fact that now people living in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) would also be able to have access to 3g services like other parts of the country.

She said ICT for Girls Programme was playing a role in bridging gender digital divide and empowerment of females in the country.

Chief Executive Officer USF, Rizwan Mustafa Mir gave an introduction of projects on the occasion. Secretary IT, Rizwan Bashir Khan, senior officials of Ministry of IT, diplomats and CEOs of IT and telecom companies also attended the ceremony.

Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the Broadband for Sustainable Development Projects which will provide mobile Broadband Internet/3G services in Khyber Agency consisting of 503 Mauzas with population of 17,51,600 people, Mohmand Agency consisting of 684 Mauzas with population of 15,99,500 people and D.I.

Khan consisting of 335 Mauzas with population of 6,93,000 people. In this connection, contracts were signed by USF with Telenor and Ufone which marks launch of Mobile Broadband Internet/3G Services by Telenor in Mohmand Agency and DI Khan and by Ufone in Khyber Agency.

Chief Executive Officer, Universal Service Fund, Rizwan Mustafa Mir signed contracts with CEO-Telenor, Irfan Wahab Khan and CEO-Ufone, Rashid Khan.