A key meeting took place today between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and telecom executives Mr. Khalifa Alshamsi, CEO of Etisalat International, and Mr. Hatem Bamatraf, CEO of PTCL, to discuss critical developments in the country’s telecom sector. The discussions focused on strategies to enhance network coverage, sector consolidation, and upgrades to digital infrastructure, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s communications ecosystem.
During the session, officials reviewed the progress of the PTCL–Telenor merger, highlighting ongoing consolidation in the sector and its potential to enhance competition and service delivery. Plans for the upcoming spectrum auction, expected to take place during Ramadan, were also discussed. This auction aims to expand network capacity, improve connectivity, and support the rollout of advanced telecom services across urban and rural areas, ensuring more reliable access for consumers and enterprises.
The meeting placed significant emphasis on nationwide fiber expansion and specific tower fiberization targets. Strengthening fiber infrastructure is seen as a key step in supporting faster and more consistent networks, improving service quality for customers, and enabling broader adoption of digital services. Enhancing network reliability and performance was highlighted as a priority, with stakeholders agreeing on the need for sustained investment in infrastructure to meet growing demand for high-speed connectivity.
Officials also discussed PTCL’s expanding role in AI-enabled data center services as part of Pakistan’s broader digital transformation. These services are expected to support businesses, startups, and public-sector initiatives by providing AI and cloud-based solutions, enabling enterprises to adopt advanced technologies more effectively. By combining network upgrades, spectrum allocation, and AI-powered digital infrastructure, the meeting underscored Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a more connected and technology-driven environment for businesses and consumers alike.
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