ISLAMABAD (BMZ REPORT )
Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) has devising a comprehensive IT and Telecom Policy to ensure the maximum protection to masses from the widespread cyber crimes including financial scams, fraudulent online activities and women harassment.
This was stated by Anausha Rehman, State Minister of IT and Telecom at “1st Consumers IT and Telecom Conference” organized by Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) held in Islamabad on Thursday. Federal Secretary IT & Telecom Akhlaq Ahmed Tarar, Dr. Ismail Shah Chairman Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA), Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman CAP, Dr. Joseph Wilson Chairman Competition Commission of Pakistan, Faisal Sattar CEO Universal Services Fund (USF), Khalid Mahmood CEO & Country Manager First Global Data Pakistan, Syed Tahir Rizvi Regional Head Asia Pacific – One Apple Pakistan, Fan Yun Jun CEO China Mobile Pakistan, Syed Iqtedar Zaidi President and Chief Executive Techaccess Pakistan and Karim Peerani General Manager Soft World International were also poke on the occasion.
Addressing as a chief guest, Anausha Rehman said the draft of controlling electronic crime bill has been finalized to present in the assembly at the earliest whereas the IT and Telecom Policy will be rolled out in June this year.
She said the government has been working aggressively to bring advancement in the country through deployment of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in all walk of lives promoting living standard of the people and bolstering economic activities in all nook and corners Pakistan.
MoITT has been involving in various mega projects including introduction of Next Generation Technology in the country, establishment of tele-centers in underprivileged cities and village and expansion of branchless banking in the far-flung areas.
The ministry is actively working for addressing critical and protracted unresolved issues of grey trafficking of international calls and cyber crimes in the country, which could be curbed in collaboration with different domestic and international agencies and private sector of the country.
Kaukab Iqbal said the public grievances in today’s digital world are rampant and remain largely unaddressed though regulators and stakeholders are unaware of the ways to resolve issues of their consumers of biggest utility unfortunately.
The usability of Information and telecom technology is diminished when consumers are victimized by anti-social elements through their malpractices by hackers who directly hit financial transactions illegally, senders of SMS to create harassment, usage of illegal SIMs, usage of mobile phone for terrorist activities and through deceptive marketing practices adopted by various companies offering packages to public on false claims.
All telecom companies should not be allowed in any case to adopt deceptive marketing practices by offering in their sales promotion schemes, bumper Cash prizes , cars and foreign visits to general public, Iqbal demanded and said there should not be hidden charges in the rates/tariff of telecom companies.
The suspension of cell phone services countrywide must be discouraged as ambulance, fire, medical and other essential services are hampered bitterly on these occasions, he added.