Chinese enterprise plays pivotal role in promoting Pakistan's telecom infrastructure: Minister

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that a Chinese telecom enterprise has played a pivotal role in developing the country's telecommunication infrastructure through its continued investments and the introduction of latest technologies.

Addressing a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the 10-year excellence of China Mobile Pakistan at the local market, the minister said the Chinese telecom giant created a digital ecosystem and uplifted Pakistan with unlimited modern connectivity through the evolution of telecommunication from 2G to 4G.

The minister said he is confident that Zong 4G, the localized brand for China Mobile Pakistan, will continue to help transform lifestyle of the Pakistani people. He also vowed that the government here would remain committed towards the advancement of information and communications technology to create a knowledge-based economy.

On the occasion, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Amir Azeem Bajwa said that the Chinese company was the last entrant in the telecommunication field in Pakistan, but now it has surpassed its all competitors in several fields, including services and technology.

According to data from the PTA, Zong 4G is the leading data network operator in Pakistan with over 32 million subscribers, 18 million broadband subscribers, over 10 million 4G subscribers and 10,550 base stations with 4G services across the country.

Wang Hua, chairman of Zong 4G, said that the company will provide the best communication services to Pakistani customers, bridge the digital gap and promote economic prosperity by using advanced technology and innovative products in Pakistan.

According to Wang, Zong 4G has provided regular jobs to 3,300 persons and 99 percent of the position are taken by Pakistanis, adding that his company also created over 100,000 indirect local jobs besides undertaking corporate social responsibility.