Islamabad – Pakistan’s IT sector is emerging as a cornerstone of future cooperation with Saudi Arabia, said Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, while addressing the inaugural session of the 26th ITCN Asia.
Pakistan’s IT Growth and Global Outreach
The minister highlighted that Pakistan’s IT industry is growing nearly 20% annually, with a record rise in exports achieved through joint efforts of the government and private companies. In the last 18 months, Pakistani IT delegations have visited 20 countries to explore partnerships and boost exports.
Connectivity and Infrastructure Plans
To strengthen regional connectivity, the government is working on:
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Five new undersea submarine cable landing stations.
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Positioning Pakistan as a data transshipment hub for China and Central Asia.
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Expanding fiberization nationwide and launching 5G in seven cities by 2025.
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Resolving Right of Way issues across provinces.
She also confirmed that satellite internet services will soon be rolled out for the public.
Spectrum Expansion & Cybersecurity Push
With the growing demand for internet, spectrum allocation will expand from 20 MHz to 100 MHz. The government is also prioritizing:
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Sovereign cybersecurity measures.
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Large-scale adoption of AI and cybersecurity frameworks.
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Training one million people for the future digital ecosystem.
Digital Governance Transformation
Shaza Fatima revealed that the government’s first phase of e-governance digitization will be completed by the end of this year. She urged IT companies, academia, and industry stakeholders to work together in shaping Pakistan’s digital future.
