ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: The government plans to execute projects of utility bill payments through kiosks, automated teller machines (ATMs) and through telephones using prepaid cards.

This was stated by the minister for IT and Telecommunication, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, while speaking at a launching ceremony of Pakistan Educational Network (PEN) here at a local hotel on Monday.

The minister said billing and customer care services of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) would be improved, while all the organizations under the ministry would be made efficient and responsive to promptly attend to complaints of ordinary subscribers.

About the PEN, he said that 50 per cent cost of the project was borne by the PTCL through its research and development fund.

“This project will go a long way in integrating our academia and academic institutions to enable them to get upto date scientific data online in addition to available teaching material.”

It will help in delivering quality education, availability of research material from libraries and sharing of resources of the top most institutions with those which lack resources, he added.

Commenting on ministry’s future agenda, he said the government would continue striving for increasing software exports and enhancement of the activities of Pakistani companies for earning contract from abroad as well as within the country.

Mr Leghari said the government would be focussing on human resource development and infrastructure, besides promoting IT enabled services, employment generation, and promotion of E- governance and E-commerce.

The government will be giving special attention to unleash the potential and creativity of the private sector, particularly the young and bright entrepreneurs, he added.

“We shall work with the advice of Finance Division to help set up Venture Capital Funds.”

Similarly, in the Telecom sector, the IT and Telecom ministry will be attaching high priority to finalize the de-regulation policy prepared by the IT and Telecom Division and open up the sector for private sector participation, he added.

“We wish to use IT and Telecom infrastructure for enhancing the services to the citizens,” the minister said. The programme for rolling out telecom infrastructure in rural and far-flung areas will be enhanced, he added.

He said due attention would be paid on improving the quality of internet services in suburban areas and rural locations.

“We also intend to take forward last government’s initiative to accredit educational institutions to guide parents and students to make right choice of education institutions.”