Govt launches ‘Smart Village Project’ in four provinces

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through Universal Service Fund launched a “Smart Village” project in four provinces, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The International Telecommunication Union and Huawei Technologies Pakistan will provide funds and technical support. Under the scheme, a center to be set up in a backward village equipped with modern facilities will train the people of the area to use IT facilities and be encouraged to incorporate it in their daily lives.

Chief Guest of the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque inaugurated the Smart Village Project. Federal Secretary Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, Universal Service Fund (USF), Dr. Ismail Shah, Area Representative for Southeast Asia, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Mark Meng, CEO, Huawei were also present on occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque said: “Smart Village project is another step towards realizing Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan. The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF is partnering with ITU and Huawei to digitally transform remote and rural communities by connecting and empowering them through better access to a range of digital services in the domain of health, education, commerce, and livelihood.

The project emphasizes on the whole-of-government approach and promote cross-sector collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement to further improve cost-effectiveness and sharing of resources and expertise in delivering the services to citizens. Initially, government will set up one Smart Village each at Islamabad, Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan”.

Federal Minister said that National Information Technology Board (NITB) launched more than 30 mobile applications, government web portals, and websites related to public services. The general public can avail of the benefits of these applications only when they access them. He said that the effects of the steps taken under the Digital Pakistan Vision are now beginning to show. We have started the first e-cabinet, working on E-Parliament, E-Office and Internet Voting also.

The Federal Minister congratulated the teams of USF, ITU & Huawei and ensured his support in implementing the project. He also said that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication would continue to undertake more challenging and productive programs to promote IT and Telecommunication-related services.

Sharing his thoughts at the ceremony, CEO, USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, said: “Smart Village project is consistent with USF’s mission to empower underserved and underserved communities. This partnership will permit USF, ITU, and Huawei to serve their mission mutually.