Islamabad: In recognition of his significant contributions for the proliferation of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the country, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Dr. Mohammed Yaseen has been awarded the Best Regulatory Leadership Award 2011 by Monthly “Teletimes”. The award was presented to him in “Teletimes International Industry Awards” ceremony held at a local hotel by Monthly “Teletimes”. Director ICT, PTA Mr. Amir Malik was presented an Excellence Award for individual contribution to Research in ICT.

Lately, Chairman PTA received award of excellence for ICT Development in Pakistan by NetSol Technologies. He was also recognized as Best Telecom Regulatory Leader of the Year 2010 by South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African (SAMENA) Telecommunication Council. Dr. Mohammed Yaseen with his untiring efforts has made regulatory body a model organization in the Asia Pacific Region. He has participated in the international forums and contributed in a variety of areas, such as promotion of ICT market, telecom market liberalization, legal and regulatory framework for the telecom sector.

His major achievements during the past years include introduction of consumer protection structure for telecommunication subscribers, development of multiple international communication links, provision of free Internet dialup services to the masses, establishment of 350 tele-centers as a rural telephony project, giving a special emphasize on progress and development of broadband services in the country, introduction of a unified regulatory framework for mobile banking services,  launching of new systems for effective resolution of Mobile SIMs issues, arrangement of local Internet peering point between international bandwidth providers, transition of Pakistani’s ccTLD (.pk), initiatives to engage key industry players for enhancing local ICT content market and 100 million cellular mobile subscribers is another feather in the cap.  

According to the LIRNEasia’s 2011 Telecom Regulatory Environment (TRE) survey Pakistan saw an increase in almost all dimensions including fixed market entry, mobile access to score resources and mobile inter connection. In 2010 PTA acclaimed with global awards as most progressive Telecom Regulator in South Asia. In 2011 Pakistan ranked top for best regulatory regime among the South Asian countries with penetration of Information & Communication (ICTs). Pakistan has maintained its top position with highest score of 3.3 percent in TRE survey followed by India having 2.9 points in 2010-11. In 2007-08, the TRE survey evaluated regulatory regime of Pakistan as best among the South Asian growing economies with 3 points followed by Philippines with 2.8 in the same year.