Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL)to be sold after careful study: Dr Atta | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL)to be sold after careful study: Dr Atta

ISLAMABAD- Privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is a very sensitive issue and the government is carefully considering all the issues related to it. This was stated by the Federal Minister for Science and Technology Prof Atta-ur-Rahman while presiding over a meeting of Information Technology (IT) Advisory board.

He said that the final decision in this respect will be taken in supreme national interest after a careful view of all the pros and cons involved. The government is in favour of opening up markets to promote competitions and ultimately bring the prices down. It is a welcome sign that mobile call rates have come down after the launching of Ufone, he added.

The government is making all out efforts to promote IT and telecom sector to capture the potential offered by this sector.

The minister said privatisation of PTCL is a very sensitive issue, as the organization is destined to play a vital role in helping the government in achieving its goals for promotion of Information and Telecommunication sector. All the prons and cons of privatisation of PTCL are being carefully taken into consideration as a faulty decision on the issue may undermine government’s efforts to develop IT and Telecom sector, he added.

The meeting was called by the minister to listen the views of IT Advisory Board regarding the best possible strategy to be adopted for privitasition of PTCL and opening up of telecommunication sector.

The meeting was also attended by Safi Qureshey Chief Executive, AWAZ Network, a United States (US) based IT company and member Overseas Advisory Board.

Source: The Nation
Date:2/21/2001