Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan was rapidly advancing towards a complete digital transformation through major investments in technology infrastructure, skilled youth and modern communication systems. In his message on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, he emphasised that the country was steadily strengthening its position as a global information technology hub. Moreover, he praised telecom experts, institutions and international partners for supporting Pakistan’s expanding digital economy and technological progress.
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The prime minister said the national vision of “Digital Nation Pakistan” focused on three major pillars including digital economy, digital society and digital governance. He explained that the recently introduced National AI Policy 2025 aimed to accelerate the country’s artificial intelligence ecosystem and improve technological innovation across multiple sectors. Furthermore, he described the transparent 5G spectrum auction as a major milestone that aligned Pakistan’s telecom services with international standards and future digital demands.
According to the government, the spectrum available for cellular operators has increased significantly from 274 MHz to 754 MHz to improve mobile internet performance nationwide. Shehbaz Sharif stated that authorities were committed to the rapid implementation of 5G services, national fiberization projects and the promotion of local device manufacturing. Additionally, he noted that the telecommunications sector continued attracting foreign investment, creating employment opportunities and increasing annual national revenue through sustained expansion.
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The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s rapidly developing digital infrastructure, which now includes more than 234,000 kilometers of fiber optic backbone and six advanced submarine cables. He added that the country also operates around 58,000 cellular towers and over 20 modern data centers serving nearly 205 million subscribers nationwide. Meanwhile, Pakistan is actively participating in the CAREC Digital Corridor project to strengthen regional connectivity across South and Central Asia.
Shehbaz Sharif further said the government had introduced an MVNO framework to increase market competition and encourage greater foreign investment in Pakistan’s digital sector. He also revealed that progress was continuing on satellite regulations and Fixed Satellite Services licensing to improve internet connectivity in remote and underserved regions. Consequently, broadband and voice services have expanded considerably in backward areas, highways and tourist destinations through the Universal Service Fund programme.
The prime minister noted that Pakistan’s annual IT exports had reached $3.8 billion due to proactive government policies, skill development programmes and modern incubation systems supporting young professionals. He highlighted initiatives such as DigiSkills, INSPIRE and National Incubation Centers for strengthening the country’s digital workforce and entrepreneurial environment. Furthermore, Pakistan achieved Tier-1 Role Model status in the ITU/UN Cyber Security Index and improved rankings in the UN’s e-Government Development Index and Global Outsourcing Talent Index.