GOP Releases Rs 965.42M for Information Technology and Telecom Division

The government has released Rs 965.42 million for Information Technology and Telecom Division out of Rs 1.45 billion budgeted allocation under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the current fiscal year 2018-19 so far.

According to the official documents, the Government has released Rs 965.42 million that include Rs 344.51 million foreign aid and Rs 620.915 million local components for Information Technology and Telecom Division.

GOP Releases Rs 965.42M for Information Technology and Telecom Division

The government has approved Rs 53 million for the Construction of Cross – Border Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) System between China and Pakistan For International Connectivity of Voice / Data Traffic, Rs 30 million for Enhancing IT Exports through Industry Support programs, Rs 10 million for establishment of SCO Technical Training Institute (STTI) in Gilgit Baltistan, Rs 140 million for Expansion and Upgradation of NGMS (3G/4G) Services and Seamless Coverage along KKH (in Support of CPEC) in Gilgit Baltistan.

Moreover, Rs 308 million has been approved for replacement of GSM Network of AJ&K, Rs 6.44 million for site development and construction of boundary wall at PSEB’s site for the establishment of IT Park at Chak Shahzad, Islamabad. Rs 72 million released for Technology Park Development Project (TDP) at Islamabad (Phase-I).

However, no amount has been released for Replication of E-Office (Basic Common Applications) at 45 Divisions of Federal Government so far. The foreign component released so far is around Rs 344.51 million. 

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had proposed Rs 9.787 billion against 15 development projects for the financial year 2018-19 including 6 ongoing projects and 9 new projects.

The Senate Standing committee has approved Rs 9.787 billion budgetary proposals under the PSDP for the fiscal year 2018-19 against Rs 1.538 billion earmarked for the financial year 2017-18.

However, the previous government allocated Rs 6.535 billion for Information and Communication Technology under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 2018-19. With the recent cut on PSDP, the budget allocation has reduced to Rs 1.45 billion for IT &T for the current fiscal year.