ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting on the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, where officials informed him that IT exports are expected to reach $4.6 billion in the current fiscal year.
Image: Business Recorder
During the briefing on Monday, it was also shared that domestic internet connections in Pakistan have increased significantly, rising from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.10 million this year.
The prime minister said that promoting the IT sector and boosting IT exports remain key government priorities, adding that Pakistan’s youth have strong potential in the digital field that must be fully utilised.
He directed authorities to accelerate the establishment of Asaan Khidmat Centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and to expand the initiative in collaboration with provincial governments. He also stressed efforts to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
Officials briefed the meeting on various ongoing initiatives, including a recent 5G spectrum auction described as one of the largest globally since 2016, which generated $509 million in revenue.
The meeting was further informed about “Indus AI Week,” held in February 2025 across 30 cities, featuring participation from over 100 international delegates and 88 pavilions aimed at promoting artificial intelligence development.
Other updates included the provision of fiber connectivity to government schools and health units in Islamabad, with free public internet hotspots in the capital nearing completion.
Officials also said e-learning pods were being installed at Saidpur Model Village and Fatima Jinnah Park to promote digital education.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials.
