ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: Telecom sector in Pakistan has experienced tremendous growth during the last four years, Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said.

He said this prior to his departure to South Korea where he is leading a 41-member delegation to the ITU Telecom Asia being held in Busan from 7-11 September. "Indeed, information communication technologies have a strategic role in promoting economic development and the government is fully aware of and dedicated to the instrumental task of successfully implementing the deregulation process for the growth of the telecom sector," the minister said.

Pakistan's delegation includes officials of the ministry of information technology, Pakistan Software Export Board, National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL), Special Communication Organization (SCO) and representatives from leading private-sector telecom companies which would also display their products at the exhibition.

During his stay in Busan, Awais Leghari will deliver a keynote address on 'Asia Leading the future to the forum'. He is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Daeje Chin, minister for information and communication, Republic of Korea; Jiang Yaoping, vice-minister for information industry China and Dr Seyed Ahmad Motamedi, minister for information and communications of Iran.

The minister will meet CEOs of leading Asian telecom companies and brief them on the investment opportunities in Pakistan's telecom sector following the completion of deregulation process.

In his statement, Mr Leghari said ITU Telecom Asia would offer Pakistani companies an ideal opportunity to introduce their products and services to an array of leading names from across the information and communication technology (ICT) sector within the Asia-Pacific region which was fast emerging as the largest communications market and an epicentre for global growth.

He said the event would provide an excellent platform, featuring the latest products and services from all major telecom players of the world. "Pakistan's participation for the first time ever will be a milestone marking considerable distance that we have covered since our emergence on the information and communication technology world map," he said.

It may be added that ITU Telecom Asia is bringing together a wide range of leading industry participants as well as high-level representatives from government and regulators.