ISLAMABAD - The cellular mobile companies have invested over $10 billion till todate and created over 1.4 million direct and indirect jobs in the country.
Representatives of Cellular mobile operators (CMOs) informed this to Minister of State for Information Technology Anusha at ameeting here. Representatives of Ministry of Interior, Federal Investigation Agency and Pakistan Telecom Authority also attended the meeting.
The CMOs discussed matters of mutual cooperation with the minister. They briebed her of their major and transformational contribution in economicdevelopment of Pakistan.  They said that the mobile telecommunication was the largest tax collecting and paying sector. A sum of Rs 133 billion had been contributed in national exchequer by the telecom sector during the financial year 2011-12. This is in addition to the billion of rupees paid as other fees and levies to the federal and provincial governments and related authorities, they added.
The CMOs are cognizant of the security situation in the country and are more than willing to work with the government in deployment of biometrics SIM verification mechanism across the country, they added.  The meeting was told by PTA Chairman Dr Ismail Shah that the reverification of the unverified SIMs would be completed by October 30.
The CMOs lauded the role of Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications for addressing key industry issues in a timely manner and for facilitating the meeting at a short notice.
The CMOs also expressed some concerns over recent adverse statements appearing in the press. The Minister of State reiterated the stance of the government to continue providing investment friendly environment and restore the confidence of the investors in the IT sector, without making any compromise on national security.