ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Federal Minister for Kashmir affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Chaudhry Barjees Tahir and Minister of state for IT and telecom Mrs. Anusha Rehman had a consultative meeting to discuss different aspects of policy directive for provision of Next Generation Mobile services to AJK & GB. The meeting was held at MOIT. Federal Secretary of Kashmir affairs and GB Abid Saeed, Federal Secretary IT Mr. Azmat Ali Ranjha, DG SCO Maj Gen Amir Bajwa Chairman PTA, DG FAB, and other senior officials from both the ministries were present in the Meeting.
Federal Minister Kashmir affairs and GB said that Prime Minister has committed that AJK & GB will get soon 3G/4G services and people of these two areas are anxiously waiting for this.
Anusha Rahman said that to provide 3G/4G services to people of AJK & GB is on our priority agenda and we are working towards providing latest technology to the inhabitants of these areas. Upgradation of their GSM networks is being done by SCO through PSDP projects and we will fully support Ministry of Kashmir affairs and Gilgit Baltistan in the next generation spectrum auction of 3G/4G to fulfill the commitment of our Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
Different aspects of policy directives of proposed next generation spectrum auction were also discussed at length. Both sides agreed to execute this 3G/4G spectrum auction by September 2016.
Minister IT also said that around Rs.2 Billion are available in the USF Fund for development of ICT sector in AJK & GB. As soon as framework is finalized by AJK & GB Councils, the funds will be transferred to USF for development in AJK&GB.