STAFF REPORT IBD: Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr. Mohammed Yaseen has called on AJK Prime Minister Abdul Majeed and discussed the progress of telecom sector in Kashmir in general and Neelum Valley in particular.
Though rest of the people of AJK are enjoying state-of-the-art telecom facilities at very competitive rates, the population of Neelum Valley is deprived of the same due to certain reason, security being the major one. In order to address the issue, PTA initiated Cellular Village Connection Trial (CVCT) project at Attmuqam. The equipment was provided to SCO free of cost through efforts of PTA.
The Chairman PTA apprised the PM that in order to extend the project up to Taobat, the last town of Neelum Valley, and the amount available with the AJK government in USF may be utilized for the purpose.
At present about 1.96 billion Rupees have been deposited by the telecom operators as USF for AJK which is more than sufficient to provide telecom coverage to all the important towns of the Neelum Valley.
The PM appreciated the efforts of PTA for promoting telecommunication facilities at AJK. He also expressed deep desire to bridge the digital divide between Neelum Valley and rest of the world. The PM assured that no stone would be left unturned to utilize the USF for expansion of CVCT project to entire Neelum Valley.