Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication · Government of Pakistan
A nation of 240 million that transformed its digital economy in under three years and now stands ready to amplify the voice of every developing nation in the global digital conversation.
In just 30 months, Pakistan closed its gender digital divide faster than any nation on Earth, tripled its spectrum, launched 5G, passed landmark digital legislation, and assumed the presidency of the Digital Cooperation Organization. Now, it seeks to carry this experience and the voices of 1.7 billion people in developing nations to the ITU Council.
A Proven Model · A Ready Voice · Pakistan for ITU Council
Each achievement demonstrates Pakistan's capacity to deliver the same resolve it will bring to championing the interests of developing nations at the ITU Council.
IT exports surged to USD 4.6 billion in FY2025-26, up 92% from USD 2.4B. The sector posted Pakistan's highest-ever trade surplus of USD 3.9 billion, proving developing nations can lead in the digital economy.
480 MHz sold for USD 509.6M. Spectrum tripled from 274 to ~750 MHz. Commercial 5G live in 4 cities by July 2026. First country in Asia to abolish Right-of-Way charges entirely.
ITU ICT Development Index: +27 places. ITU Cybersecurity: Tier 1 (96.69/100). UN E-Government: first-ever High tier. GSMA: world's fastest-closing gender gap.
5.8M+ trainings since 2018 (800K+ to women). DigiSkills 3.0: 3M target, 25 courses. Freelancers earned USD 2.3B+. A blueprint any developing nation can replicate.
Pakistan's first digital-transformation statute. Created the PM-chaired National Digital Commission, Pakistan Digital Authority, Pakistan Stack, and National Data Exchange Layer.
Spectrum tripled. Internet connections: 1.9M → 5.1M. 2Africa submarine cable landed. Five-cable portfolio totalling 26.5 Tbps. Broadband penetration: 53.6% → 64.2%.
First AI Policy approved. Indus AI Week: PM's USD 1B AI-by-2030 pledge, 1,000 AI PhD scholarships, Islamabad AI Declaration with 9 sovereign AI principles.
World's fastest-closing gender gap (38% → 8%). 10M free SIMs for women. 800K digital wallets in one month; 900K more in 2026. Closing the gap could add USD 55B to GDP.
e-Office: 25 days → 4 days across 42 departments. Rs 9.5B/year savings. Asan Khidmat: 64 services from 12 institutions. AI-Enabled Parliamentary System launched.
INSPIRE: Rs 4.844B to train 7,200 chip designers. Sky47 Karakoram-01: Pakistan's first AI-ready Tier III/IV data centre (8.5 MW). Entry into the USD 600B global semiconductor ecosystem.
The foundational statute of Pakistan's digital transformation a model for any nation seeking to build a comprehensive digital governance framework. Establishes the National Digital Commission, Pakistan Digital Authority, and the Pakistan Stack.
“Digitisation will allow data for informed decision-making, unlocking the true potential of Pakistan and demonstrating what determined developing nations can achieve.”
480 MHz sold for USD 509.6M. Jazz: 190 MHz, Ufone: 180 MHz, Zong: 110 MHz. Total spectrum from 274 to ~750 MHz. Commercial 5G live in 4 cities at 108-135 Mbps demonstrating that spectrum reform can be transparent, competitive, and inclusive.
“The aim is not to maximize upfront revenues, but to enable operators to invest in network expansion so that improved services reach every citizen.”
Pakistan became the first country in the world to implement the WEF/DCO Digital FDI Initiative, hosting the landmark DFDI Forum in Islamabad, April 29-30, 2025.
The DFDI Forum brought together participants from 45 countries, 400+ delegates, 30+ international investors, ~10 foreign ministers, 50+ CEOs, and 40+ exhibiting companies. Pakistan has secured over USD 700 million in digital investments across WAIC, LEAP, DCO, and GITEX engagements.
The forum's primary objective: advance digital policy dialogue across the 16 DCO member states, whose combined GDP exceeds USD 3.5 trillion. Pakistan positioned itself as the bridge between global capital and emerging-market digital opportunity.
“This is an opportunity for the world to see Pakistan as a new hub for technology and innovation.”
Under Pakistan's STRIDE initiative, the Indus RAS Expo 2026 showcased indigenous robotics, drone tech, and AI-powered systems positioning Pakistan at the forefront of autonomous technology in the developing world.
Hosted by Ignite at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad, the Indus RAS Expo brought together policymakers, defence organisations, industry leaders, researchers, and startups to strengthen Pakistan's robotics ecosystem.
Featured innovations in defence robotics, drone technologies, industrial automation, maritime autonomous systems, agritech, Physical AI, and human-machine collaboration. The RAS Innovation Challenge and RoboWars Competition showcased indigenous solutions. An Immersive Experience Dome combined interactive storytelling with 360° digital experiences.
The USD 20 million venture fund announced at the expo signals Pakistan's commitment to making autonomous technology accessible to developing nations.
GITEX 2024: "Tech Destination of the Year", 200+ companies. LEAP 2025: 100+ companies, 1,500 delegates. Google signed MoU, Chromebook assembly line (600K units/yr). 20 international tech events, 4,228 business leads, USD 73.89M in reported business.
“Our participation reflects Pakistan's unwavering commitment and the immense potential of our IT industry a template for any developing nation aspiring to join the global digital economy.”
4.5M+ trainings since 2018. DigiSkills 3.0: 3M across 25 courses. Huawei: 300K ICT trainings. PM's SkillTech: 6 flagship programmes. Faculty AI: 1,000+ faculty. AI Seekho with Google: 100K+ developers. CEGA: 10K gaming/animation trainees.
“Our goal is productive employment, turning every IT graduate into a job holder or entrepreneur.”
From National AI Policy to sovereign cloud infrastructure Pakistan built a full-stack national AI architecture in under 12 months.
Indus AI Week (9-15 Feb 2026): PM's USD 1B AI-by-2030 pledge, 1,000 AI PhD scholarships, 100K+ participants, 25 tech companies, 40+ events, and the Islamabad AI Declaration with 9 principles of sovereign, responsible AI.
Sky47 Karakoram-01: first AI-ready Tier III/IV data centre (8.5 MW). INSPIRE: 7,200 semiconductor professionals. CEGA: gaming & animation excellence centre.
From DCO Presidency to meetings with the UN Secretary-General Pakistan's digital diplomacy spans four continents, always carrying the voice of the Global South.
Pakistan assumed DCO Council Presidency at the 5th General Assembly in Kuwait. Pakistan to host the 2027 General Assembly. Kuwait Declaration on Responsible AI adopted. Leading 16 member states with combined GDP of USD 3.5 trillion.
ITU ICT Development Index: +27 places. GCI Tier 1 (96.69/100). UN EGDI: first-ever High tier. GSMA: world's fastest-closing gender gap. Validating that developing nations can achieve world-class digital governance.
Federal Minister at AI for Good Global Summit. Met UN Secretary-General Guterres. Emphasized that global AI governance must reflect the needs of the Global South ensuring no nation is left behind in the intelligent age.
MoUs across 8+ nations: Azerbaijan, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Türkiye, Oman, Qatar, Uzbekistan. 24 MoUs at Pakistan-China B2B. DFDI Forum: 45 countries. MWC Doha. WTDC-25 Baku.
Pakistan's digital transformation is aimed at empowering citizens, not monitoring them. We are not just signing MoUs; we are securing real economic growth through strategic agreements and we stand ready to share this playbook with every developing nation.
H.E. Shaza Fatima Khawaja · Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication
A timeline of milestones demonstrating Pakistan's readiness to serve on the ITU Council.
H.E. Shaza Fatima Khawaja sworn in as Minister of State for IT & Telecom.
Pakistan enters Tier 1 of ITU Global Cybersecurity Index (96.69/100).
200+ companies, USD 10.5M leads generated at GITEX Global.
Landmark legislation creates National Digital Commission & Pakistan Stack.
Largest-ever tech participation: 100+ companies, 1,500 delegates. Elevated to Federal Minister.
First-ever DFDI Forum: 45 countries, 400+ delegates, $700M+ investments secured.
Six-pillar AI Policy: 1M AI professionals by 2030, AI Fund, 50K civic projects.
Rs 4.844B semiconductor programme. Google MoU, Chromebook assembly, Startup Fund.
First one-stop citizen services centre: 64 services, 12 institutions.
$1B AI pledge. 1,000 PhDs. Islamabad AI Declaration. DCO Council President.
480 MHz sold for $510M. Spectrum tripled. 5G in 4 cities by July.
ITU IDI: +27 places. RAS Expo: 20K+ visitors, $20M fund. UN Secretary-General meeting.
Targets that align with ITU's Connect 2030 agenda and demonstrate Pakistan's commitment to carrying developing nations forward.
IT exports ($15B direct + $10B digitalization impact)
AI professionals with $1B AI investment pledge
MHz spectrum, 60% fiberization, 10M broadband homes
e-Rozgaar centres + Asan Khidmat + Smart Villages nationwide
Region E (Asia & Australasia) · 2027–2030
Pakistan has demonstrated what a developing nation can achieve with vision and determination. We seek the ITU Council seat not for ourselves, but to ensure every developing nation has a voice in shaping the digital future.
🇵🇰 Vote Pakistan at PP-26