ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting on the performance and future plans of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy and increasing IT exports.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said the development of the country’s IT sector remained one of the government’s top priorities, adding that Pakistan’s youth possessed immense talent and potential in the field of technology.
He stressed the need to create more opportunities for young people and fully utilise their capabilities to accelerate economic growth and innovation.
The premier directed authorities to expedite work on the establishment of Easy Service Centres in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He also instructed officials to coordinate with provincial governments to establish similar facilities across the country, particularly in underserved areas, to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural communities.
During the briefing, officials informed the prime minister that internet connections in Pakistan had increased significantly from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.10 million in 2026, reflecting rapid growth in digital access nationwide.
The meeting was also told that Pakistan’s IT exports were expected to reach between $4.5 billion and $4.6 billion during the current fiscal year.
Officials further briefed participants on Pakistan’s recent 5G spectrum auction, describing it as the largest such auction held globally since 2016.
According to the briefing, the auction generated approximately $509 million in revenue for the country.
The meeting also reviewed progress on initiatives aimed at promoting artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Participants were informed that the “Indus AI Week”, organised in February 2025, featured events in 30 cities, attracted more than 100 international delegates and included 88 exhibition pavilions showcasing technological advancements.
In addition, officials said fibre-optic connectivity had been extended to government schools and healthcare units in Islamabad, while the rollout of free public internet hotspots in the federal capital was nearing completion.
E-learning pods are also being installed in Saidpur Model Village and Fatima Jinnah Park to improve digital learning opportunities for students and residents.
The meeting was attended by Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior government officials.
