Digital Pakistan: Telecom sector’s role in broadband growth, job creation

July 21, 2023 (MLN): The telecommunications sector is a key pillar of Digital Pakistan, and the most lucrative & preferred sector for both domestic and foreign direct investment, Syed Amin UI Hague Federal Minister for IT & Telecom said in his speech at the National IT seminar on Thursday.

As per the press release issued, during FY 2023, the growth of internet broadband was recorded at 7.6% despite telecom infrastructure damages caused by floods and import restrictions.

It is worth mentioning that a 10% increase in Telecom Digital Inclusion contributes to 1.33% of the national GDP.

That translates into approximately $3 billion in economic contribution during FY2023 only by the Telecom sector to upscale Pakistani businesses, education, Agri-tech, trade, SMEs, freelancers, and financial inclusion to name a few.

Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, through Universal Service Fund (USF), has expedited 83 projects in unserved and underserved areas majorly in Balochistan, FATA region, Interior Sindh, and Interior Punjab. Almost 33% has been invested in Balochistan out of Rs81bn as a key priority.

Despite economic challenges in the FY2023, the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication along with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) managed to attract 141 companies in Pakistan in the FY2023 for optic fiber, Telecom Infrastructure, Internet of Things, Smart devices, and Telecom Value added services.

Most of these companies have already started operations and generated more than 60,000 jobs, directly and indirectly in the Telecommunication sector.

Cellular mobile operators (CMPak, Jazz, Telenor, Ufone and PTCL) have successfully carried out 5G trials in Pakistan.

Moreover, the first 5G test bed lab has been established in Islamabad in collaboration between MoITT & Jazz. With the 'Make in Pakistan' approach and 'Smart Phone for All' vision a total of 22 million smart mobile phones were domestically produced in Pakistan in year 2022 only.

Through Policy formulated by MoITT on Mobile Devices Manufacturing, a total of 33 manufacturing licenses were granted license by PTA. Notable companies include Samsung, Nokia, Xiaomi, VIVO & OPPO to name a few.

This has also led to the export of Pakistan-made mobile and smart devices to the Middle East &African region.

He conveyed his strong commitment to unlocking the vast opportunities in Pakistan’s IT & Telecommunication sectors, saying that they were key to transforming Pakistan with rapid IT & Telecommunication growth, increasing ICT exports, creating jobs for skilled youth and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through Tech startups that could become future unicorns.

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