“Pakistan has an immense potential of piloting a sustainable digital turnaround. Tore Johnsen
“We appreciate the efforts of Telenor Pakistan in realizing the digital competence of Pakistan. Anusha
Telenor Pakistan has played an important role in making digital technology accessible to the people of Pakistan. Chairman PTA
Telenor Pakistan aims to play a pivotal role in government’s efforts to promote e-inclusivity for all to foster socio-economic transformation of Pakistan.” Michael P. Foley
ISLAMABAD ( ABRAR MUSTAFA )
Telenor Pakistan has launched a report which elucidates the nation’s potential of adopting digital solutions. The report, titled “Realizing Digital Pakistan” has been prepared by Telenor Group with consultative collaboration from TechPolis. It lays out a feasible roadmap which indicates how Pakistan can usher an era of digital enablement throughout the country in the next five years. The report was launched at an interactive gathering, which was attended by representatives of Telenor Pakistan’s top management including Tore Johnsen, Chairman of the Board; Ms. Anusha Rehman, Minister of State for IT & Telecom; and Dr. Syed Ismail Shah, Chairman PTA, in the presence of various stakeholders from academia, civil society, and the media.
In his key note address to the forum, Tore Johnsen, SVP Telenor Group & Chairman of the Board Telenor Pakistan, said: “Pakistan has an immense potential of piloting a sustainable digital turnaround. As shown in the report, this is achieved by embracing innovative digital solutions in areas such as education, health and governance. With the ambition of delivering Internet for All, Telenor Group strives to be a long-term partner in realizing a Digital Pakistan, together with the government, the private sector, academia and civil society.”
The report states that in five years or less, Pakistan can attain digital connectivity indicators similar to Malaysia. Five pillars have been identified to secure a better future for the people of Pakistan via ample utilization of digital technologies. These five pillars have been broadly classified as ‘e-Services, e-Governance, e-Commerce, Strengthening the Digital Innovation Ecosystem, and Broadband Connectivity for all.’
The report also contributes to the vision laid out by the Planning Ministry in their document “Pakistan 2025 – One Nation, One Vision.” The five pillars are further supported with targets which specifically mark different areas for collaboration between the government and the private sector. These targets include providing internet access to schools and hospitals and mobile access for farmers, tripling the e-commerce value in Pakistan by 2020, providing added transparency and access to government policies, budgets and services. Additionally, it also charts out a pathway for Pakistan to leverage technology by establishing modern IT incubators.
On this occasion, Anusha Rahman, Minister of State for IT & Telecom said: “We appreciate the efforts of Telenor Pakistan in realizing the digital competence of Pakistan and staying committed to developing a digital innovation ecosystem in the country. The comprehensive report launched by Telenor Pakistan today reflects how the country proceeds when it comes to utilizing digital technology in various walks of life, and the immense potential it carries for securing a better future for its people.” She also appreciated some of other Telenor Pakistan’s pioneering initiatives towards expanding the overall internet ecosystem in the country including the launch of Pakistan’s first secure online payment solution Easypay by Easypaisa among others.
Dr. Ismail Shah, Chairman PTA, said: “It gives me great satisfaction to see the country is now embracing digital technology as a powerful tool that is not just a means of communication, but a life-changing catalyst. Along with other cellular operators, Telenor Pakistan has played an important role in making digital technology accessible to the people of Pakistan. I hope, that the company continues its pursuit of a digital Pakistan where common people have access to better healthcare, education and governance at their fingertips.”
Delivering the welcome note at the event, Michael P. Foley, CEO, Telenor Pakistan, said: “Pakistan has a plethora of digital opportunities and we, at Telenor, envision a future where those opportunities can be utilized to enable widespread digitalization. With the launch of this report, we are putting countrywide digital access at the center and attaching utmost priority to offering cutting-edge technological solutions to facilitate digital connectivity. Going forward, Telenor Pakistan aims to play a pivotal role in government’s efforts to promote e-inclusivity for all to foster socio-economic transformation of Pakistan.”
Introducing the report, Ricardo Tavares, CEO TechPolis, said: “Pakistan can leverage the expansion of broadband access to reform public services and the economy and unleash a new era of job creation, quality-of-life improvement and economic growth. The country can utilise its ample repertoire of technological talent and innovative solutions to revolutionise public services in the domains of education, healthcare, and agricultural assistance. This report presents a comprehensive view on how Pakistan can truly usher in an era of innovation and progress that can improve the lives of ordinary people. We are immensely pleased to have collaborated with Telenor Group on this report.”
To realize a digital Pakistan, close coordination is required between government, the private sector, academia and civil society. Together they can expand connectivity and build innovation centers to support Pakistan’s transition to the digital economy. Aligning government policies and regulations, private investment, academic know-how and civil society activism for digitalization to benefit all, is the biggest challenge Pakistan faces in achieving its Vision 2025.
