Friday, 8 October Pakistan a better future for all. Moreover, we are optimistic that future developments in the telecommunication and ICT industry will generate new opportunities for capital accumulation and economic development. Let us, therefore, work together to bring about a positive change in terms of a brighter future for our people, thereby, contributing to the fulfillment of the WSIS Geneva Principles and Plan of Action, as well as attain-ment my previous address to the ITU Council last fall 2009, in Geneva. I had tried to sentitise the delegates about the emerging issues vis-a-vis the capacity issues being faced by the developing countries. I had suggested that ITU may act as the coordinator to share the best prac-tices and successful outcomes pertaiing to the sector. Besides, it may help some countries to evolve the req-uisite protocols, mechanisms, processes and policies to of the UN Millennium Development Goals. deal with such issues. And, I reiterate and underscore such impelling needs of the developing economies. Government of Pakistan attaches great importance to the activities of the ITU. We wish to express our com-mitment Mr. President, to the international telecommunity that we would continue to contribute meaningfully to the ITU, in future, and we hope that international telecom-munity In Pakistan we have had a growing and vibrant tele-com sector with more than 105 Million people having would repose confidence in our spirit of co-operation and constructive work and would support access to telecoms services, with overall teledensity of about 64%. This number was not more than 4 million when we entered the new millennium. The immense contribution of just the access to communications is evident from the growth and socio-economic benefit the telecommunication sector is providing to the peo-ple. Pakistan’s candidature for ITU Council as well as our candidate for RRB, Mr. Muhammad Javed. Let me introduce Mr. Muhammad Javed, a veteran tel-ecom professional, who played a dynamic role in devel-oping the telecom infrastructure as well as institutions Government of Pakistan is committed through its Universal Service Fund Program to extend Basic Telephony, in general, and proliferation of Broadband services, in particular, to the far flung and remote areas of Pakistan. Our USF program is being cited as a role model, the world over. Due to our transparent Policies, Pakistan has been declared, a Center of Excellence in Policy and Regulation, by the ITU. Pakistan is doing a commendable job by offering programs to the fellow member countries. It is making a positive contribution towards developing a knowledge economy – which is our ultimate dream. Pakistan remains firmly commit-ted in Pakistan. I assure you, Mr. Chairman, that my delega-tion would work in the spirit of mutual cooperation and would do the utmost to achieve the greatest good of the greatest number. I wish the Conference a great success. Thank you Before parting I have an announcement to make. Everyone is cordially invited to our reception at 6 p.m. at Hilton Hotel. We look forward to your participation. to cooperating with all ITU Members in our strug-gle to bridge the digital divide, especially between the urban and rural areas. Such commitment is based on our realization that by elevating the living standards of the people in the rural areas, only, can we achieve 207