PAKISTAN

STATEMENT BY H.E. Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari
Federal Minister for Information Technology

Mr. Chairman
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Government of Pakistan would like to thank the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Government of Turkey for hosting this impressive seventeenth Plenipotentiary Conference 2006 in the beautiful and historic resort of Beldibi. May I also avail this opportunity to congratulate you Mr. Chairman for your election at this august Plenipotentiary Conference. I am confident that under your able leadership we will succeed in achieving the goals and objectives of this conference in the most efficient and effective manner.

In view of the changing global ICT environment, this event is of even greater importance for all of us especially with reference to election of key strategic leadership for ITU to strengthen and better equip ITU to meet its challenging objectives and to set strategic direction. For fast changing Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, ITU should help developing countries for new policy and regulatory requirements.

Mr. Chairman, Pakistan is proud of the indomitable association with the ITU to strengthen this specialized organization of the United Nations System as an effective and efficient body to amicably address the challenges of the future. It is indeed encouraging that the ITU has been able to progress in many important areas; however, we believe that concerted efforts of all the member states are required to take stock of goals set in PP 02 and fix targets and objectives for the next four years in PP 06. This Plenipotentiary Conference has also the responsibility to reaffirm, ratify and approve its commitments made in previous conferences, to reform the Union and to adopt strategy for resolving issues of telecommunications.

The development of telecommunications on regional and global basis is critical for the overall improvement of economic, social, political, and cultural values. It promotes the sharing and exchange of such values across different cultures, and in doing so, fosters healthier inter-cultural relationships and stronger links between people across the globe. Deliberations at such forums as PP-06 should result in formulating effective strategies that would ultimately result in providing essential services and benefits to humankind. It may be recalled that in the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), commitments were made by all stakeholders for universal, equitable and affordable ICT infrastructure and services for the people of the world. Pakistan, like in the past, will continue to support ITU’s efforts and to adopt strategies to fulfil its obligations assigned by WSIS for achievement of an all inclusive information society for its citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The economic process of globalization, liberalization and privatization, and the technical process of convergence of systems technologies are indeed the decisive factors that influence us today. In pursuit of our broader objectives, we must harmonize our efforts together to unleash the creativity of our intellectual power for achieving sustainable socio-economic development through efficient and effective deployment of modern telecommunications. The developing countries are rigorously engaged in a process of improving basic access to telecommunication services. As nations strive in their individual capacities to provide basic and broadband services to their citizens, it is imperative that ITU assist member states in finding ways and means for deployment of cost effective broadband networks. ICT is a key enabler for transforming many of the challenges we face. ITU should help developing countries seize this opportunity, especially for the deprived segments of the rural and urban societies.

The world has recently experienced severe natural disasters like Tsunami in the Far East, the earthquake in Pakistan and calamities in US and other places. In the wake of such events, it is important for ITU and other regional organizations to assume greater responsibility, and focus on improving preparedness against such emergencies. One effective way of doing so would be by organizing sturdy ICT mechanism at regional and international levels through the cooperation of Member States. Pakistan appreciates timely assistance of ITU and member states to facilitate rescue and relief operations in disaster hit areas. Pakistan would support ITU in its endeavour of having standardized mechanism of response to disasters and of setting up effective telecommunication networks and systems under the framework of implementation of Tampere Convention.

Pakistan’s Achievements in ICT

I will take this opportunity to inform this august gathering of the various developments that have revolutionized the telecommunication sector of Pakistan in a very short span of time. Deregulation and facilitative regulatory environment for the fixed-line and mobile sector was rolled out through issuance of deregulation policies approved by the Cabinet, which were much beyond the commitments made in the WTO Telecom accord.

Due to investor friendly policies, Pakistan’s telecom sector has exhibited impressive results that have also been recognized internationally. Recently GSM Association, the largest single platform of global cellular operators, also recognized the successful policies of Pakistan, by awarding Government Leadership Award for 2006. Our policies in their own right may have earned us recognition but it is our view that now more than ever before developing and developed nations need to work together and be cognizant of the challenges and opportunities presented by intriguing phenomenon like convergence of voice, video, and data services. This definitely calls for adoption of harmonious polices and strategies for the benefit of the citizens of each country.

Pakistan has, and shall continue to, support initiatives that will help member states in narrowing the ICT gap and in improving the universal and affordable access for applications. Pakistan has developed policies for establishment of a transparent, non-discriminatory policy and regulatory regime that promotes innovation and competition between service providers, to facilitate the operators and the end users.

Pakistan’s development goals, as envisaged in its medium term development framework, focus on achieving a Teledensity of over 35% with a minimum 5% rural telephone access and with aggressive broadband ICT penetration targets by 2010.

Role as a Member state of ITU and WSIS Agenda

Pakistan has been a member of ITU Council since 1982. Since then, it has been consistently re-elected for this position. This is recognition of Pakistan’s active participation in the activities of this august Union. Pakistan is also playing major role in organizations like APT and CTO, and is actively pursuing the cause of telecommunication development. Pakistan recognizes WSIS Geneva Plan of Actions (GPA) and the Tunis agenda for the information society (TAIS), and is taking initiatives in that direction. Pakistan, through its Permanent Representative at Geneva, has successfully steered the process of deliberations on Internet Governance issues (Tunis phase of WSIS). Similarly, Pakistan’s representatives in the Radio Regulation Board are contributing towards formulation of international radio regulations, standards and processes. Pakistan is actively contributing in Study Groups, ITU Council as well as in Plenipotentiary Conference.

Pakistan likes to appreciate the progress made by member countries for improving in telecommunications access since PP-02 which is evident from the global figures which have almost doubled. We expect that the next tenure of PP (2006-10) will make momentous contributions to ICT growth across the world. We will work hand in hand with ITU to achieve the common objectives:

1. Expand communications infrastructure and increase access to communications services especially for the developing nations.
2. Policy and regulatory activities that expand communications infrastructure and increase access to communications services in the developing world.
3. Capacity building that supports expansion of communications infrastructure and access.
4. Allocation of resources for redistribution by BDT to promote gender equality and the needs of youth.
5. Help ITU to be more efficient and result oriented organization emerging as role model for other UN entities.
   

I would like to conclude here by commending the International Telecommunication Union for the excellent work it has been doing over the years. I would like to thank all the participants and present best wishes for the success of the Plenipotentiary Conference and express my sincere thanks for the excellent preparations by Republic of Turkey, our host country, for this Conference.