ISLAMABAD: A large number of representatives from more than 20 countries from Asia-Pacific region are participating in the ITU-PTA Asia-Pacific Regulators Roundtable and the ITU-PTA International Training Programme (ITP) 2016, which has kicked off in Islamabad.
The moot is being held under the aegis of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Besides, PTA Chairman Dr Syed Ismail Shah, members of the IT Ministry, regulatory heads of different countries and representatives from telecom operators, Internet service providers, academic institutions, banks, ICT entrepreneurs and commercial companies were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, the ITU secretary general said it was a great pleasure and a privilege to be at the Asia-Pacific regulator’s roundtable jointly organised by the PTA and the ITU with the support of the Department of Communications and the Arts, Australia.
“At this esteemed roundtable, we are greatly honoured by the presence of high-level regulators and policymakers from more than 20 countries from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”
The secretary general said that the regulators’ roundtable was of particular importance as it was the first symposium in this region since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
State Minister for IT Anusha Rahman termed the presence of the ITU secretary general a big achievement for the telecom sector of Pakistan. She appreciated the PTA for organising the regulators’ roundtable and an international training programme.
The minister said that the traditional regulatory rules were diminishing and the telecom regulators were emerging in the new digital era. Pakistan is passing through telecom revolution and this revolution is evident from the fact that the telecom companies are getting more and more subscribers in their 3G/4G segment, she maintained.
“The government of Pakistan fully realises the potential of information and communication technology professionals, which will be used to spur socio-economic growth, as the digital Pakistan is the only way forward to achieve progress,” she added.
“We all have benefited from the principles and standards of ITU like IT advanced, IT 2020, most popularly known as 3G/4G and 5G technologies, by providing meaningful input to all other areas. I am sure that every regulator of the region is playing its crucial role for the provision of better telecom services to the consumers. However, we, the regulators, need to re-imagine our regulatory approach in the wake of new trends and challenges,” the chairman added.
