https://arab.news/4e6yk
- Syed Amin Ul Haque says the global information technology giant will send its delegation to Pakistan in December
- The ministry launched ‘Smartphone for All’ initiative to help underprivileged consumers participate in digital economy
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology Syed Amin Ul Haque said on Wednesday Google had decided to establish its local presence in Pakistan and would send its delegation to the country for that purpose in December.
The minister made the announcement while launching “Smartphone for All” initiative in collaboration with the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) and Kistpay to ensure affordable ownership of the gadgets among low- and middle-income consumers in Pakistan.
An official statement released by the country’s information technology ministry quoted Haque as saying “Google has finally decided to open its office in Pakistan and has been registered in [the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan].”
“A Google delegation will visit Pakistan in the second week of December this year, while TikTok also plans to open office in Pakistan and Facebook authorities are in contact for the same,” he said.
The minister noted improved smartphone access was “a key priority” to ensure that everyone in Pakistan could participate in the digital economy.
“Today, the ministry of IT and telecommunication has taken another concrete step toward achieving the vision of Digital Pakistan,” he continued. “With our ‘Smartphone for All’ initiative, we aim to improve the buying ability of marginalized people via instalment-based financing instruments and seek to encourage the digital inclusion of youth, women, and rural communities through early smartphone adoption.”
Speaking at the occasion, a senior GSMA official Julian Gorman commended the ministry for the initiative.
“A connected population is the basic ingredient for a Digital Nation from which flows digital economic growth, empowered industry and entrepreneurs and improved livelihoods for every citizen,” he said. “We must embrace the imperative to get every person enabled with a smartphone and applaud Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and Kistpay for the bold commitment to smartphones for all Pakistan.”