June 13, 2015
News
PTA expresses support for suggested tax-cuts on telecom sector
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) President Jehan Ara said that there is a need to reduce tax burden on fast growing high-potential sectors like Telecom and International Communication Technology (ICT), to give them the freedom to grow faster, enrich national economy with healthy revenue-streams and create new employment opportunities.
Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) Chairman Ismail Shah along with Ministry of Information Technology member Tahir Mushtaq expressed agreement with the comment of Jehan Ara at the 8th Pakistan TeleCON-2015 conference, held in Karachi. The participants of the conference, “Facilitating innovation in business and social dynamics”, presented progressive ideas for deployment of next-generation technologies in the telecom and ICT sectors of Pakistan, to enable swift economic growth and consumer satisfaction.
During his keynote address, the PTA Chairman said, “According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), broadband is the fastest growing technology in the world today. Within a year of launching next -generation technologies, Pakistan has achieved over 13.02 million subscribers of 3G and 4G. There has been a 590% growth in mobile broadband penetration in Pakistan, which amounts to 7% of the total market, reflecting 74% SIM penetration across the country.”
Renowned Nuclear Physicist and intellectual Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy said as a nation, Pakistan consists of people who are primarily the ‘consumers’ of knowledge and technology. However, he added, we must endeavour to become ‘producers’ of knowledge and technology. “Distance learning can revolutionise our educational institutions and eliminate its inadequacies. The future technologies will not be based on solid-state devices, artificial intelligence is growing in leaps and bounds to revolutionise the world and we should be geared up to compete in that new world. Cyber-crime and security are on top of the US agenda, and I feel that Pakistan is not less susceptible or less vulnerable than those developed nations,” he added.
Dr Hoodbhoy also supported the earliest deployment of net-metering methodology for effective electricity distribution and production.
Tahir Mushtaq stressed the need for using advanced technology for social development and delivering modern educational and healthcare benefits to the deprived segments in the urban, rural and remote regions.
Tameer Microfinance Bank (Telenor Easy Paisa) Founder, President and CEO Nadeem Hussain gave a presentation on enabling a paradigm shift in Mobile Banking to empower the underprivileged segments. “The rapid increase in the number of Mobile Banking customers has revolutionised the scale of financial inclusion in the country,” he said.
Reon Energy Solutions CEO Inamur Rehman discussed revolutionary technologies for generating renewable energy, which provides sustainable and viable solutions for the energy crisis and can ensure uninterrupted power supply to hi-tech industries like Telecom and ICT. SHAMROCK Communications CEO and Convener of the forum Menin Rodrigues said that the national telecommunication policies need prompt realignments to accommodate rapid technological advancements in the global telecom arena. “For eight consecutive years now, this forum has inspired persuasive dialogues and wisdom-sharing for deploying the next-generation technologies, besides expanding the outreach. Other prominent speakers who enriched the conference included National Data Consultant CEO Ammara Masood, The Brand Crew Director Amin Rammal, Nex Degree CEO Imran Moinuddin, iOS Developer Zia Khan and Digital Media Expert Mahawish Rezvi.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk