Acting Minister of MCIT attends the plenary Session of Meshrano Jirga (Upper House)

Mohammad Fahim Hashimi acting Minister of Communications and Information Technology, attended the plenary session of the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House) and answered the questions raised by the members of the Jirga.

The Issues discussed at the meeting were the activities of telecommunications networks in different provinces, the disconnection of telecommunication antennas, problems with internet speeds, the collection 10% telecom service tax some other issues.

Much of the questions raised by members of the Meshrano Jirga were about the cut-off of telecommunications antennas on the day of the presidential election, clarity on the 10 percent telecom service tax collection, Internet speed quality and rates.      

Minister Hashimi said that although the telecommunications companies' performance is under the control of the ATRA Office, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology works closely with that Office at the crucial time in order to prevent any problems which it faces.

Minister Hashimi added: since I came to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, I canceled the contract worth 40 million dollars purchasing unnecessary equipment for the Salaam Telecommunications Network. We seek to reduce the costs of Salaam Telecommunication and thus make this company an example for other private companies.

In the response of Senators' concerns that telecommunications companies follow the Taliban's instructions minister Hashimi said that the government's priority in the market is to strengthen the private sector and it is unacceptable for us that the telecommunications companies follow the Taliban's rules and regulations,"

We have purchased modern and up-to-date equipment for the Real Time Data Management System and will be put into operation soon," he said.

In terms anticorruption struggle minister of MCIT emphasized that "I will not stop fighting corruption at any level we have created complaints section to further coordinate the fight against corruption so people can get in touch with me directly and file complaints."