The digital inclusion week aims raise awareness and highlight the ongoing digital inclusion initiatives led by MoITT and ITU to bridge the digital divide.
The “ITU-Pakistan Digital Inclusion Week: Meaningful ICT for All” was organised in Islamabad by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The Government of Australia, represented by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts (DITRDCA), supported this event as part of their support to the ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in implementing the ITU Asia Pacific Regional Initiatives.
The goal of digital inclusion week is to raise awareness and highlight ongoing digital inclusion initiatives led by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union to bridge the digital divide, particularly among vulnerable groups such as girls, children, and people with disabilities.
As the chief guest, the Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications inaugurated the Pakistan-ITU Digital Inclusion Week Ceremony.
He emphasised the importance of increasing stakeholders’ awareness and interest in ICT and STEM subjects, as well as improving career progression and opportunities through digital skills and leadership programs, and strengthening the network of programme beneficiaries in Pakistan and the Asia-Pacific region through Girls in ICT Day Pakistan.
He concluded his remarks by thanking local and international stakeholders such as PTA, Huawei, and telecom operators such as PTCL, Jazz, Telenor, Ufone, and others for their contributions to Pakistan’s Digital Week. Atsuko Okuda, Director of ITU APAC, praised the IT Ministry and the Government of Pakistan for their initiative and preparations.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has the mandate to facilitate the growth of technology and communication in Pakistan. The Ministry works with other government departments and the private sector to develop a robust ICT infrastructure and an enabling policy environment that encourages the use of ICTs for socioeconomic development.
In this regard, it has developed a National Telecommunications Policy, National IT Policy, National Cyber Security policy, and many other sector–specific regulations. It also supports the launch of innovative projects such as the e–government projects, the digital Pakistan initiative, and the creation of a new telecommunications framework. The Ministry also focuses on developing digital skills and improving access to technology across all sectors of society.