Pakistan’s digital growth is expected to generate an economic impact of $20 billion over the next four years. The expansion is driven by ongoing reforms and infrastructure development in the IT and telecom sectors.
Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighted the government’s commitment to building a strong digital foundation. Speaking at the 26th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) meeting in Islamabad, she emphasized the role of digital initiatives in national growth and regional cooperation.
The minister said Pakistan is moving toward the vision of a “Digital Nation”, focusing on broadband expansion, digital inclusion, and regulatory reforms. She stressed that regional collaboration among South Asian countries is essential to create frameworks for digitalization and secure cross-border data governance.
Highlighting Pakistan’s progress, Shaza Fatima noted that the Digital Nation Bill, passed in January 2025, has enabled key initiatives under Vision 2030. These include ensuring 1000 MHz spectrum availability, launching a Data Exchange Layer with NADRA, and advancing toward a cashless economy. The government has also initiated the National Fiberization Policy and abolished Right of Way (RoW) charges across federal and provincial departments.
Pakistan has achieved 200 million mobile subscribers, and the telecom sector contributes Rs 1.3 trillion to the national exchequer. IT exports have maintained 20 percent annual growth over the past three years, supported by spectrum reforms, the planned 600 MHz auction, and the upcoming Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) framework.
Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Hafeez ur Rehman, emphasized that consumer protection remains a top priority. He noted that fair competition, quality of service, and secure connectivity are essential for sustaining Pakistan’s digital growth and long-term innovation.
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The government aims to strengthen regional cooperation in IT and telecom to promote innovation, digital trade, and secure data governance. With these efforts, Pakistan’s digital growth is expected to continue accelerating, contributing significantly to economic development.
