Govt allocates Rs 486 million to Gilgit Baltistan for 3G/4G services

The government has allocated Rs 486.726 million for expansion and up gradation of 3G and 4G services and continuous coverage along the Karakoram Highway (in support of CPEC) in Gilgit Baltistan.

Prior to this announcement, Govt proposed PKR 66 billion for Science & Technology sector in budget 2018-19.

The project is one of the important on-going projects of IT ministry and total of Rs 2658.713 million have earmarked for eight on-going schemes of Information Technology and Telecommunication Division for the fiscal year 2018-19 in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

While talking to media, spokesperson of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication said, ongoing scheme regarding CPEC include, construction of Cross-Border Optic Fibre Communication (OFC) system between China and Pakistan for International Connectivity of voice/Data Traffic (SCO) and provision of seamless GSM coverage along KKH for proposed Gawadar Kashighar Economic Corridor in Gilgit Baltistan (SCO).

He said the CPEC trade corridor, which includes the building of roads, ports, dams, connecting cities, serving unserved areas has provided a much-needed booster dose to the economy which will bring benefits to the IT industry as well.

He added, the CPEC which is part of China’s One Belt, One Road (OBOR) project, is bringing in $46 billion in investments, and this has also given a boost to the local IT and telecom industry.

The government is making all possible efforts to increase exports of Pakistan’s IT sector and has extended major incentives to the IT Industry which include a variety of tax exemptions, permission to operate foreign exchange accounts, and profit repatriation.