ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing fast and reliable Internet connectivity during a meeting with the Asia Internet Coalition on Wednesday.
The delegation, led by Managing Director Jeff Paine, was briefed on the government’s initiatives to bolster Pakistan’s IT infrastructure and attract foreign investment.
The prime minister highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a robust IT framework, emphasizing the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into the country’s infrastructure. He expressed a strong resolve to position Pakistan as a regional leader in AI technology.
During the discussion, Prime Minister Sharif noted that under the Digital Pakistan Initiative, there is a comprehensive drive to digitize all government systems. He pointed out that the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue is expected to be a significant step toward enhancing economic digitization and automation.
The meeting also covered critical issues including data security, internet content regulations, and strategies to combat electronic crimes. The prime minister was informed about the ongoing consultations with stakeholders regarding the draft of the Personal Data Protection Bill.
Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the Asia Internet Coalition’s efforts in advancing IT and Internet infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region and appreciated their contributions to Pakistan’s IT sector.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, IT expert Tania Aidrus, and other senior officials.
