ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Prof Attaur Rehman has said that by February 2002, every internet user will be able to work in the language of his or her choice.

The minister was presiding over the first meeting of Urdu and Regional Languages Software Development (URLSD) Forum.

He said the forum should devise a plan for access of general public to free of charge Urdu and regional languages software and automatic translation system. It should also design and implement standards for Urdu and regional languages and provide software speech for those who could not read and write, he added.

He said the software produced should meet the standards already prepared by the government for Urdu and regional languages software.

The forum has been created to launch a coherent programme and enable the masses to benefit from the info-tech revolution, information on internet and new technologies in their own languages.

Dr Atta said the forum would also design and implement standards for Urdu and regional languages. It included code page, keyboard and fonts to coordinate all activities in all the provinces with the active collaboration of the regional info-tech boards, he said.

The forum will prepare public domain repositories of Urdu and regional language software for common office functions such as word processors, spreadsheets, web browsers, e-mail, search engines and databases.

The forum will also conduct basic research in leading edge technologies including translation, optical character recognition (OCR), voice-operated systems, neutral graphical user interfaces and industrial automation for Urdu and regional languages.

The minister asked the task force to prioritise its programmes and come forward with a complete road map within seven days.

He said preference should be given to programmes which could be implemented. Other objectives of the programme include ensuring that the national and international bodies and vendors adopt approved Urdu and regional language standards, he added.

The board consists of experts in software, linguists, technologists, nominees from stakeholders.