Pakistan has taken on a prominent leadership role in regional telecommunications with Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, being unanimously elected as the Chairman of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC). The announcement was made during the 26th meeting of SATRC, which is being hosted in Islamabad from November 5 to 7 by PTA in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. The event marks an important milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its engagement with regional partners in the field of telecommunications and digital policy development.
In his address following the announcement, Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in Pakistan’s regulatory leadership by member countries. He emphasized that his tenure as SATRC Chairman would focus on promoting deeper cooperation across South Asia to enhance digital infrastructure and policy coordination. He highlighted that the future of regional progress lies in inclusive digital growth, where every economy benefits from technology-driven transformation. He also noted that the collaboration among South Asian regulators would be key to tackling emerging challenges in spectrum management, cybersecurity, and the expansion of broadband access.
The three-day meeting in Islamabad has gathered telecom regulators, policymakers, and industry experts from across the South Asian region to discuss strategic topics shaping the future of telecommunications. Among the central themes of discussion are cross-border spectrum harmonization, regulatory best practices, ICT innovation, and the development of resilient digital ecosystems. The event is serving as a crucial platform for aligning policy frameworks and fostering cooperation among member states to ensure that the benefits of connectivity reach all communities within the region.
Pakistan’s leadership in SATRC is seen as an acknowledgment of its growing role in the digital and telecom sectors. PTA’s hosting of the council meeting reflects its ongoing commitment to driving technological progress and regional collaboration. Through this position, Pakistan aims to contribute actively to the harmonization of regional telecom standards and to support initiatives that improve connectivity, encourage innovation, and facilitate investment in ICT infrastructure. With the appointment of Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman as Chairman, SATRC is expected to continue its mission of promoting effective regulation, knowledge sharing, and coordinated policy approaches that advance South Asia’s digital landscape.
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