In a ceremony conducted at PTA Headquarters, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for information sharing, cooperation, coordination, and professional capacity building.
The MoU was signed on NEPRA’s behalf by Naveed Illahi Sheikh, Director General (Admin/HR). Senior personnel from NEPRA and PTA, as well as PTA Chairman Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa HI (M) and NEPRA Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi, were present at the signing ceremony.
The areas of collaboration include developing a mechanism for coordination that would facilitate easy working relationships for the digitalization of networks, particularly in the areas of cyber security, the move to smart grids and advance metering infrastructure (AMI) programs, the provision of power-to-community through telecom infrastructure in rural sites, alternative energy solutions, power tariff for the telecom sector, and knowledge sharing regarding the best use of fixed and mobile networks.
The Memorandum of Understanding also has a capacity-building program that will help both organizations make the most of their experience and knowledge by holding training sessions, forums for discussion, and conducting sessions on current topics and technical breakthroughs.
Chairman PTA, who spoke at the event, stated that the regulator is working to guarantee that citizens have access to high-quality ICT services and profit from widespread coverage, especially in remote areas of the nation.
Collaboration with NEPRA is crucial for a continuous electricity supply and greater connections across the country.
The first-ever cyber security initiative, which has been established to preserve and defend the multi-billion dollar assets of Pakistan’s power sector, was also discussed by Chairman NEPRA. This initiative is focused on information technology and operational technology.
The chairman also stated that by starting work on the regulatory front regarding blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, smart grids, and electric vehicles (EVs), he has placed a significant emphasis on bringing about a technological revolution in the power sector.
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