ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: The Senate standing committee on information technology has stressed the need for introduction of new technology which can cater to the needs of the time and the market challenges. The committee, which met here on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Tahir Iqbal, was of the view that the information technology ministry should concentrate on developing technology capable of producing quake-resistant infrastructure for use in the earthquake hit areas.

During the meeting, the committee was given a detailed briefing on the steps taken by the ministry to provide relief to the earthquake affected people in NWFP and AJK.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company President Junaid I. Khan informed the committee that there were some misperceptions that retrenchment would be made in the permanent and contractual staff working in PTCL, CTI and TIP after privatization.

He assured the committee that employees who had been put on the surplus pool would remain on the payroll of the PTCL. He however, said that only 114 employees who were appointed on contract basis would not be given further extension as per policy.

The members of the committee pointed out that the TIP had invited tenders for selling two of its plots — one in Islamabad and the other in Lahore.

Minister of State for Information Technology Ali Asjad Malhi denied having taken any decision regarding the sale of the two plots. He said as the issue was of crucial nature, necessary information would be provided to the committee.

The committee was also briefed on the damages caused to telecommunication infrastructure and network in the earthquake- hit areas of NWFP and AJK.

It was told that the earthquake in NWFP caused Rs112.226 million damages to the PTCL network and buildings. It was informed that all lines were restored soon after the earthquake.

Special Communication Organization (SCO) AJK director- general briefed the committee on the working and performance of his organization and said a proposal was under consideration to give exemption from telephone bills for two months in the earthquake-hit AJK.

He said all lines were made operational soon after the earthquake. He said that the SCO was working to shift its microwave repeater stations, adding that the station at Danna would be shifted to an alternative location as decaying of hills was in process.

The meeting was also attended by senators Mohammad Amjad Abbas, Rashid Ahmad, Mohammad Abbas Komaili, Dr Mohammad Said, Mohammad Aslam Buledi and Rukhsana Zuberi.