Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), His Excellency Masanori Kondo, visited the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters in Islamabad to strengthen regional collaboration in the telecommunications and ICT sectors. He was received by PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, HI (M), SI, along with Authority Members Muhammad Naveed (Member Finance) and Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar (Member Enforcement and Compliance), as well as senior officers from the authority. The visit underscored the growing importance of cooperation between Pakistan and APT in driving digital progress across the Asia-Pacific region.
During the meeting, both sides discussed a range of topics focusing on enhancing regional partnerships in telecommunications, promoting digital transformation, and supporting capacity-building initiatives. PTA officials briefed the visiting Secretary General on the current regulatory framework, technological advancements, and ongoing projects in Pakistan’s telecom sector. The discussion also highlighted Pakistan’s achievements in expanding broadband access, improving service quality, and promoting innovation in digital infrastructure. The APT delegation expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s active participation in APT-led programs and commended the country’s efforts to modernize its communication landscape.
APT plays a central role in coordinating ICT policies and development across the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together governments, regulators, and industry representatives to share best practices and technical expertise. Mr. Kondo’s visit reflects APT’s continued engagement with its member countries to encourage collaboration in emerging areas such as 5G deployment, satellite communications, cybersecurity, and spectrum management. PTA’s leadership reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to contributing to APT’s initiatives, emphasizing the value of regional knowledge sharing and policy alignment to accelerate digital inclusion.
The visit also provided an opportunity to explore future areas of cooperation between APT and PTA, particularly in digital capacity building and technical training programs. PTA highlighted ongoing initiatives aimed at empowering local professionals and enhancing regulatory expertise in line with global standards. Both organizations recognized the need for continued dialogue to address shared challenges such as evolving data governance frameworks, connectivity expansion, and cross-border digital collaboration. Through these efforts, Pakistan aims to further its role as a proactive member of APT, strengthening its contributions toward regional innovation and ICT growth.
This engagement marks another step forward in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance its global digital partnerships. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to continue cooperation in technology exchange and telecom development initiatives, aligning with APT’s broader mission of promoting inclusive digital growth across member nations.
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