May 17, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has observed that information and telecommunication technologies have created digital opportunities, but at the same time thrown up challenges of security of data and information travelling across the networks.

In his message on the eve of world telecommunication day, he said the world had realized the value of e-enabled environment, which had to be protected from crime, and due security for all such transactions needs to be ensured.

“Cyber security, therefore, is the essential element of the IT action plans as we continue our quest towards the creation of information societies and economies based on information and communication technologies,” he stated.

He said it was satisfying to note that the theme of the world telecommunication day this year is “Promoting Global Cyber- security”. The e-enabled services are rapidly growing in the world and various telecommunication and IT networks were being interlinked. On-line transactions, e-commerce and a host of other e-initiatives are being utilized by the developed as well as the developing world. “Trends in Pakistan are also in favour of e-services, and we need to catch up to improve on e- governance,” he remarked.

He said information technology and information networks are the essential elements of modern day society. He said the information and communication technologies had been instrumental in providing better tolls for communication, management of activities and facilitation of business. It also provides essential services to the public through digital opportunities.

He asked the Ministry of IT to frame legislation and regulation in a broader manner to deal with the challenges of security of data and information travelling across the networks.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan had a challenge to ensure provision of secure networks inside the country fully protected with least vulnerability. He noted that secure networks, reliable information and data transactions could only be achieved through needed legal framework and public-private partnership.

He pointed out that the government on its part had introduced legislation like Electronics Transaction Ordinance 2002 and the Cyber Crime Bill.

He expressed the belief that the complexity of the information technology demanded appropriate action and updated skill and expertise. He expressed the hope that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) would keep assisting the developing countries through expertise and coordinated efforts to mitigate networks security risks.