August 12, 2006	Saturday	Rajab 16, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: Pakistan is being quoted as a model in telecommunications owing to its high-speed growth and

volume of foreign investment pouring into the sector, said chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Maj Gen (Retd) Shahzada Alam Malik.

He was talking to the U.S. Coordinator for International Communication and Information policy, Ambassador David A. Gross, who called on him at PTA headquarters here on Friday.

The chairman said Pakistan was actively participating in international and regional information and communication foray and the country was being benefited from the experience of the developed countries around the globe.

Briefing the US Coordinator about telecommunication policies and their impact on the sector, he said the whole process of de-regulation of telecommunication had ended the monopoly of the state-run telecom service provider and the sector was made open for potential foreign and local investors.

Ambassador Gross discussed the investment opportunities in telecommunication sector and hoped more U.S. companies coming into Pakistan. He also discussed ways to increase cooperation at international forums including International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

He appreciated the excellent headway made by Pakistan's telecom sector.—APP