Pakistan here on Wednesday at an international conference called upon all stakeholders to work together for a digital future – with specific focus on South Asia- but the largest player of the region India remained absent.
The inaugural session underscored the need for strengthening regional dialogue on ICT policy and regulation, and toward a connected and inclusive South Asia.
Dr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General APT, inaugurated the event, with attendees from Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, GSMA, Huawei Technologies, and the Global Satellite Operators’ Association.
Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said that the world was moving towards new technologies and there is a need to have a set new regulations for digitalisation in South Asia too.
She was speaking at the 26th Meeting of South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26) held under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
“We want to increase cooperation with South Asian countries in the telecommunications sector, as it was the future,” Ms Khawaja added.
She added that Pakistan was working on a digital nation Pakistan and the challenges faced in this regard includes digital gender gap not only in the country but around the world.
She suggested that the conference should discuss cross-border data governance, and highlighted the achievements made by the country in this regard.
She added that Pakistan has passed the Digital Nation Bill and various targets have been set under Vision 2030.
The minister added that Pakistan was actively pursuing to promote cashless economy and the Prime Minister chairs biweekly meeting over this subject.
“To enhance connectivity and increase fibreisation, the federal departments have abolished right-of-way charges to lay optic fibre cables and provincial governments too are in the process of abolishing the right-of-way charges,” she added.
The minister added that the digital initiatives will have an impact of $20 billion in the next four years.
She highlighted the achievements of the country in telecom sector that Pakistan has achieved the target of 200 million mobile phone subscribers and the telecom industry was depositing Rs1.3 trillion in the national exchequer, while the IT exports are growing by 20 per annum for 3 years.
The minister said that government will soon auction 600 MHz spectrum to launch 5G telecom services.
Whereas, speaking at a session Mudassar Hussain, Vice President Public Policy & Regulatory Affairs Jazz, highlighted the industry concerns over 5G spectrum auction.
He added, “Next-generation connectivity depends on how effectively spectrum is managed and priced.”
He stressed that rational spectrum pricing, infrastructure sharing, and practical regulatory reforms were the key to building a healthier telecom ecosystem.
He added that affordable and timely access to spectrum was essential to sustain investment, improve the service quality, and extend digital access to every corner of the country.
Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (rtd) Hafeez ur Rehman, highlighted Pakistan’s role in advancing regulatory harmony and regional cooperation. He reaffirmed PTA’s dedication to digital inclusion, emerging technologies, and ICT resilience, noting that SATRC-26 reflects the shared vision for a connected and innovative South Asia.
“As a regulator, it is our responsibility to provide consumer protection and as the STARC role was related to policy-making and coordination – all South Asian countries should work together for connectivity,” he said adding, that all stakeholders must work together for a digital future.
