The GSMA has asked the government to take tangible steps to enable telecom investment and digital access.
Addressing a press conference during the event, the GSMA Asia-Pacific Head, Julian Gorman, has termed the absence of Pakistan’s Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, from the Digital Nation Conference held in Islamabad as "regrettable". Gorman said he would contact the minister directly.
He acknowledged Pakistan’s growing role in the global IT sector, crediting its freelancers, but noted that the country's mobile broadband coverage remains the lowest in the region.
Despite local demand for spectrum, he added, availability continues to lag. Mr Gorman stressed that a spectrum auction is essential to achieving the goals outlined under the Digital Pakistan initiative.
Gorman said that GSMA has submitted its telecom sector report to the Government of Pakistan, outlining wide-ranging opportunities for investment.
He called for a review of the high taxation on the telecom sector and mobile devices, stating that public access to smartphones must be prioritised.
Gorman said that public trust in the digital space remains essential for building a digital and cashless economy. He emphasised the need to safeguard digital security and ensure the protection of online transactions.
He said that through the use of satellite internet, 99.9 per cent of the population could be brought into the digital economy.
