Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, held a meeting in Islamabad with Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, to explore new avenues of collaboration in the digital and telecom sectors. The discussion centered on key areas including cybersecurity, 5G, submarine cable systems, and financial technology. Both sides acknowledged the strong potential for advancing their digital agendas through mutual cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Ambassador Dr. Hassan conveyed Egypt’s interest in aligning with Pakistan’s growing tech capabilities and emphasized the opportunity to co-develop solutions in cybersecurity and connectivity infrastructure. He also expressed the Egyptian government’s willingness to organize joint workshops, facilitate training programs, and offer scholarships to foster deeper collaboration in education and digital innovation.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared Pakistan’s vision for a technology-driven economy and stressed the strategic alignment between the two nations. She noted that Pakistan and Egypt share similar ambitions in digital transformation, which forms a strong basis for long-term cooperation. Citing the recent progress made in national cybersecurity initiatives, she spoke about Pakistan’s recognition in global forums, especially through the conduct of national hackathons, and encouraged Egypt’s youth to participate in such competitions.
The discussion also highlighted regional strategic positions, with Minister Khawaja pointing out Pakistan’s role as a digital link between East and Central Asia, and Egypt’s position as a key gateway connecting Africa to Europe. She introduced Pakistan’s robust telecom infrastructure, which includes seven submarine cables, as a strong foundation for digital connectivity expansion. Both officials agreed that collaboration on such infrastructure projects could significantly improve regional digital integration and reduce reliance on external networks.
Pakistan’s IT Ministry continues to emphasize international partnerships as part of its digital agenda. In this context, Minister Khawaja reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to creating bilateral platforms that promote innovation, capacity building, and shared technology resources. Both sides acknowledged the mutual benefits of digital diplomacy and discussed opportunities to further expand collaboration into public-private ventures and innovation ecosystems.
The meeting closed with a shared intent to strengthen bilateral ties through sustainable technology engagement and cross-border learning. The dialogue reflects both countries’ proactive approach in shaping a modern, secure, and inclusive digital landscape by integrating their strengths and experiences. With technology continuing to redefine national competitiveness, both Pakistan and Egypt appear aligned in leveraging their regional positions and investing in critical areas that will shape their digital futures.
