ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: The GSM Association, a global trade association representing more than 680 mobile operators, awarded Pakistan its prestigious Government Leadership Award-2006 on Monday.

Pakistan became the second country after Brazil to be picked up for the coveted trophy following a stiff competition with other contenders, including India.

In a message issued here, the award was presented to Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari by Rob Conway, CEO and board member of the GSM Association, at the GSMA’s annual leadership dinner in Barcelona.

The congress was being attended by mobile industry CEOs and government ministers from across the world. Among the prominent government representatives present at the occasion included telecommunication ministers from India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Spain, Turkey and Russia.

Pakistan was chosen as the most progressive economy in establishing a thriving mobile communications sector in the past three years. The award had been launched by the GSMA to recognize exceptional work by governments globally in the field of mobile communications policy.

Pakistan had transformed its mobile communications sector in a very short period. In the past three years, the government had taken such initiatives as privatization of the leading telecommunications provider, introduction of much greater competition into the mobile market, establishment of transparent regulatory regime, and reduction of import duties on telecommunication equipment.

The government policies in the telecom sector had a considerable impact on increasing the penetration of mobile phones in the country.

The proportion of Pakistanis with a mobile had grown from under one per cent in 2000 to over 13 per cent in 2005, representing an increase from less than two million to over 20 million customers. The achievement demonstrated Pakistan’s success in establishing progressive policy and regulatory regime and right market conditions for the industry to develop.

Speaking on the occasion, Rob Conway said: “The GSMA is delighted to recognize Pakistan for its work in mobile communications.”

He said in a short period of time, the government had established a strong and clear policy framework and a stable regulatory environment. Its deregulation policy has been successful in stimulating growth in the mobile sector and, most importantly, bringing mobile phones within the reach of common people of Pakistan.

He stressed that creating a positive environment for mobile growth depended on clear regulation rigorously enforced, which sometimes required governments to make firm and potentially controversial decisions.