Pakistan’s Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has underlined the country’s growing IT sector as a potential key pillar of future collaboration with Saudi Arabia. Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of the 26th ITCN Asia on Tuesday, she said Pakistan’s technology landscape is strengthening on multiple fronts to evolve into a regional player and a data transshipment hub for countries including China and Central Asia. She stated that the government is actively positioning the IT sector to contribute to broader strategic and defense ties with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Shaza Fatima highlighted that several undersea submarine cable projects are underway at up to five landing points across Pakistan. These are designed to handle growing domestic internet demand while also providing connectivity to regional players such as China and Central Asian states. She noted that Pakistan’s IT sector continues to register annual growth of nearly 20%, a pace she attributed to the combined efforts of the government and IT companies. Over the last 18 months, delegations of IT firms have visited around 20 countries to secure new export opportunities, resulting in a significant increase in export revenue.
The minister said the government is prioritizing enhanced nationwide internet connectivity through increased fiberization and the planned launch of 5G services in seven cities by the end of 2025. She pointed out that Right of Way issues have been resolved across provinces, clearing the path for telecom operators to roll out advanced infrastructure. Shaza Fatima explained that upgrading the network to 5G is expected to draw substantial foreign direct investment into the country’s digital economy. In addition, regulatory approvals for satellite internet services have been issued, paving the way for their availability to the public in the near future.
She further emphasized that the rising demand for internet services is expanding spectrum needs, with government plans to increase availability from 20 MHz to 100 MHz. Addressing security and technological readiness, the minister stressed the importance of building sovereign cybersecurity capabilities for Pakistan. She said the government is actively promoting artificial intelligence and cybersecurity initiatives, including capacity building for national institutions and private companies, and training one million people to be part of the future digital ecosystem.
Shaza Fatima also shared that efforts are underway to digitize the governance system, with the first phase targeted for completion by the end of this year. She urged IT companies, academia, and other stakeholders to collaborate closely in strengthening the IT industry and its contribution to Pakistan’s economic development. Her remarks at ITCN Asia underscored the government’s vision of integrating technology into national development strategies while expanding international partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia.
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