ISLAMABAD: The Management Committee meeting of Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) has finalized the Work Programme of APT for year 2006 aimed on facilitating telecom bodies of the member countries, based on strategic directions and recommendations of the general assembly.

The draft report of the Management Committee meeting has also been concluded and forwarded to the APT Secretariat for its final approval. The four-day Management Committee Meeting ended here Thursday, the concluding session was presided over by APT President and Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Shahzada Alam Malik.

The report of the meeting highlighted the activities of APT for the promotion of ICT in the region during the year 2005 and for 2006. It also focused on close relations of APT with international organizations including International Telecom Union (ITU), World Bank, ADB, ABU and other bodies on telecommunication related activities.

It was decided during the meeting that Pakistan will host the Symposium on Telecommunication for Disaster Relief (TDR) in March 2006, in Islamabad. The Symposium will explore the range of TDR capabilities and standards that are being adopted by the governments and disaster relief organizations. Moreover, the symposium will provide an opportunity to share experiences and create awareness of the importance of the use of telecommunication and ICT resources for disaster relief operations.

Besides this symposium, Pakistan also offered to host Eleventh Asia Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Programme (ASTAP) Forum and symposium on network security. The dates and venues of these events would be decided by the APT. Pakistan also emphasized on effective participation of all 33 APT member countries in its training and fellowship programmes.

Speaking on the concluding ceremony of the meeting, Major-General (r) Shahzada Alam Malik appreciated the diligent participation of the member countries and said that General Assembly and Management Committee were able to resolve all issues which would help in smooth functioning of APT. He appreciated the role of Asia Pacific Telecommunity for devising a comprehensive strategy for the uplift of telecommunication infrastructure and training of human resources in the Asia Pacific Region.

Both the meetings remained successful in finalizing the plan and policies for the furtherance of telecom sector of the region.

The chairman PTA said that these APT meetings would help in bringing fresh impetus to the fastest growing telecom sector of Pakistan. Not only private operators have benefited a lot from these deliberations but the regulator and the government have also incorporated suggestions offered in the meetings for the betterment of telecommunication facilities and infrastructure.

Shahzada said it was first time that such a mega event of telecom was organized in Pakistan and PTA put in every possible effort to come up to the expectations of the APT and the delegates. He said though we have made headway in the provision of telecom facilities, still there are challenges to be addressed by all APT member countries. He said now member countries would wait to see the positive results of the Work Plan and Strategic Plan approved by the GA and the MC of APT. As the President of the forum, he also assured full support to all member countries in their collective endeavors to improve the telecom infrastructure in the Asia Pacific Region.