US, Pakistan agree to work in IT sector

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: The United States and Pakistan on Friday agreed to work together to enhance and upgrade IT disciplines in major universities, promote broadband internet and increase computer usage in Pakistan.

The two sides also agreed to increase bilateral cooperation in e-governance, spectrum management, human resource development and capacity-building.

A statement issued here said that the agreement was reached during a meeting between Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and US Coordinator for International Communications and Information David A Gross. State Minister Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Secretary Furrukh Qayyum and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Mr Gross said he had been thoroughly impressed with the scale of progress achieved by Pakistan in the telecom sector within the past three to five years. It had not only won Pakistan recognition in the form of prestigious GSMA Award but also put Pakistan prominently on the radar screen of international IT firms.

“Until a couple of years ago, Pakistan was not even heard of in the telecom arena. But 37 million mobile phone subscribers within a couple of years point to the vision and the effort of the government in moving from old system to the new telecommunication system,” he said.

He said the US was keen to work closely with Pakistan on increasing broadband and computer usage, promoting content development in local languages and improving high-end professional human resource.


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