Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja held a high-level meeting with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of International Telecommunication Union, to discuss Pakistan’s strategic priorities in the global digital landscape. The session focused on expanding collaboration in digital inclusion, enhancing connectivity in underserved regions, and accelerating Pakistan’s adoption of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and digital public infrastructure. The discussion reflects Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to align national digital development initiatives with international standards and best practices.
During the meeting, Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem. She highlighted the government’s ongoing initiatives under the Digital Nation Pakistan vision, aimed at ensuring that technological progress reaches all regions and communities. The minister discussed strategies to improve internet accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas, noting that connectivity expansion is essential for enabling socio-economic development and fostering innovation. The conversation also included ways to enhance the regulatory framework to support emerging technologies while maintaining security, reliability, and sustainability across the digital infrastructure.
Both officials explored opportunities for collaboration on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, focusing on projects that could strengthen Pakistan’s digital capabilities. Shaza Fatima Khawaja noted the importance of AI in improving government services, supporting smart city initiatives, and enabling data-driven policymaking. Discussions included creating frameworks to encourage public and private sector partnerships, capacity building, and knowledge exchange with international experts to ensure Pakistan remains competitive in the evolving global technology landscape. The minister underscored the government’s intention to leverage ITU’s expertise in advancing digital governance, standardization, and innovation across public and private sectors.
The meeting also highlighted the role of digital public infrastructure in supporting Pakistan’s economic growth and social development. Both sides emphasized accelerating efforts to develop robust and scalable platforms capable of providing equitable access to digital services. The minister reaffirmed that Pakistan is committed to integrating international best practices, collaborating with ITU programs, and actively participating in global initiatives that promote digital inclusion, innovation, and technology-driven development. This dialogue reflects the country’s ongoing commitment to strengthening partnerships with global organizations to foster a future-ready digital ecosystem and ensure that Pakistan remains aligned with international technological standards.
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