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JJ stresses need to raise computer literacy

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Our foremost and first objective must be to increase computer literacy and make people aware of its potential and benefits, said the Adviser to the Chief Executive for Media and Development, Javed Jabbar here on Tuesday while inaugurating the Saarc workshop on 'Information and Communication Technology.'

Jabbar said that the Pakistan Government has taken concrete steps to maximise the use of information technology and made it accessable to the common man.

He was of the view that the co-operation among South Asian countries would promote peace and defuse distrust and differences among them.

Jabbar said that the collaboration and inter-action between the participants in the information and communication technology workshop would help increase inter-regional co-operation in availing opportunities and maximising use of the technology for the development.

In this sector, he said, the co-operation should be facilitated and enhanced for increased use of modern information technology.

Jabbar said that the role of computer literacy for sustainable development and stressed the need for building indigenous capacity to increase information and communication technology and increased use of computers.

The Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, in his address of welcome said that computer usage is playing a dynamic role in every sector. "We in Pakistan share a common commitment to actively develop a strong base for computer literacy and its usage."

The Chairman of the Pakistan Science Foundation also spoke on the occasion.

The four-day workshop has been organised by the Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre in collaboration with the South-South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation. Its aim is to promote co-operation among the member countries in the field of information technology and communication.

The workshop will deal in depth with different aspects of information and communication technology, which included Internet technologies, worldwide web, multi-media development and telecommunication trends.