Islamabad: The inaugural session of the 1st Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) on Policy Regulation and Services commenced today at a local hotel in Islamabad. Organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and hosted by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the three-day international meeting brings together regulatory experts and policymakers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The opening ceremony witnessed a gathering of industry and government stakeholders. Mr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), welcomed delegates and urged active participation in discussions, commending PTA for orchestrating the workshop. Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokar, Member Compliance & Enforcement at PTA and Chair of the SATRC Working Group on Policy, Regulation, and Services (PRS), outlined the meeting’s objective: fostering exchange to address challenges, explore opportunities, and finalize initial steps on work items.
Chairman PTA, Maj. General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, emphasized the significance of regional collaboration in addressing ICT challenges, highlighting the importance of learning from each other’s experiences to introduce new technologies and services while safeguarding consumer rights and nurturing industry growth.
Ms. Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for IT & Telecom, graced the event as chief guest, outlining Pakistan’s vision for digital empowerment. She emphasized Pakistan’s potential as a nation of 250 million, predominantly youth, and highlighted the need for gender inclusion, lauding Chairman PTA’s efforts in bridging the digital gender gap.
The STARC meeting serves as a platform for understanding the dynamic ICT landscape, initiating research analysis, and setting agendas for the next two years. Over the next two days, the meeting will feature 10 sessions, addressing crucial contemporary topics and trends in the regional telecommunication sector.
The first day’s agenda includes sessions on insights from APT’s GA-16 and MC-47, regulatory challenges of new technologies, maximizing the Universal Service Obligation Fund for digital inclusion, and enhancing ICT E-Waste Management Regulations for Sustainable Development, emphasizing the need for effective regulations and strategies for a greener future.
