Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen collaboration in the digital sector with plans to establish a Pakistan–Malaysia Digital Policy Dialogue, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing technological cooperation. This understanding was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Malaysia’s Minister of Communications Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohamed Fadzil on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Both leaders emphasized the longstanding strategic ties between their countries and highlighted opportunities to align national digital strategies to foster innovation and technology-driven growth.
Officials noted that Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan vision complements Malaysia’s MyDigital Blueprint, with both initiatives focused on building modern, connected economies that leverage technology to enhance public services and commercial activity. Discussions underscored the importance of harmonizing policies, regulatory frameworks, and digital governance approaches to enable smoother cross-border collaboration in emerging technology sectors. By sharing experiences and insights from their respective programs, the two countries aim to identify practical measures for implementing joint projects that enhance efficiency, accessibility, and security in digital services.
A key area of focus during the meeting was talent mobility and advanced skills development, particularly in high demand fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, and the Internet of Things. Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted the critical role of human capital in achieving sustainable digital transformation, emphasizing the need for initiatives that enable knowledge exchange, training, and upskilling among professionals in both nations. By fostering stronger connections between educational institutions, technology hubs, and industry players, Pakistan and Malaysia hope to create a regional ecosystem that encourages innovation and supports technology-driven enterprises.
Both ministers acknowledged that the Digital Policy Dialogue could serve as a platform for ongoing engagement, enabling continuous discussion on technology trends, investment opportunities, and collaborative research initiatives. Officials noted that this cooperation could facilitate joint programs in cybersecurity, smart cities, digital finance, and e-government solutions, aligning with broader regional objectives to enhance digital connectivity and economic competitiveness. By establishing formal channels for collaboration, Pakistan and Malaysia are taking steps to ensure that their digital strategies not only complement each other but also contribute to the wider regional and global technology landscape.
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