ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for IT and Telecom Dr. Umar Saif has expressed a keen interest in learning from Malaysia’s innovative approaches and policies related to the deployment of 5G technology.
He commended Malaysia’s swift adoption of 5G, attributing it to their inventive Spectrum Sharing policy, and conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating with Malaysian counterparts to learn these successful strategies.
A high-level meeting between Dr. Umar Saif and a delegation led by Fahmi Fadzi, the Minister for IT, Communication & Digital Economy of Malaysia, was held during GITEX-23 in Dubai. The discussions centered on various pivotal technology topics, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two nations.
Among the topics addressed was financial technology (Fintech), including the introduction of Starlink, a satellite internet company in Malaysia. The meeting also explored the potential implementation of LYNC, with both parties committing to the exchange of experiences and knowledge.
Pakistan Embraces Malaysian Expertise for 5G Adoption
Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the challenges faced by Pakistan in terms of network coverage and the importance of adopting best practices from Malaysia’s regulatory framework. The Malaysian Minister pledged to facilitate Pakistan’s transition to 5G technology by sharing their proven approaches.
The conversation extended to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and its potential benefits for the technology sectors of both countries. This was accompanied by a commitment to enhance coordination and discussions in the months ahead, underscoring the deepening partnership between Pakistan and Malaysia.
Wonderful to meet HE Fahmi Fadzil Malaysian Minister for IT, Communication and Digital Economy at GITEX.
Malaysia has rolled out 5G at a lightening pace using a very innovative Spectrum Sharing policy. We will work with our Malaysian counterparts to learn about their innovative… pic.twitter.com/4u2HWBEkyx
— Umar Saif (@umarsaif) October 17, 2023
Dr. Umar Saif also provided the Malaysian delegation with an update on recent policy changes in Pakistan, specifically designed to support the IT and telecom sectors. He noted that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) now permits a 50% retention of IT export remittances in foreign currency (FCY) accounts, along with initiatives aimed at streamlining cash flows for IT exporters, simplifying Right of Way (ROW) charges, promoting infrastructure sharing, advancing the 5G spectrum, and enhancing IT export retention. Furthermore, the federal cabinet has granted approval for an advisory committee to oversee Pakistan’s 5G spectrum auction, marking a significant stride toward a digitally empowered Pakistan.
In a related context, Dr. Umar Saif’s visit included a tour of Expand North Star, an international showcase of innovation and cultural exchange. The Pakistan Pavilion was thoughtfully designed to exhibit the nation’s progress and potential, providing a warm welcome to all visitors.
