ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Tuesday said the government had accelerated digital transformation through policy reforms, the expansion of fibre infrastructure, spectrum reforms and nationwide collaboration, expressing confidence that these measures would strengthen connectivity, attract investment and contribute billions of dollars to the economy in the coming years. Speaking at the GSMA Digital Nation Pakistan event, the minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had demonstrated a strong commitment to technology even during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab by introducing e-facilitation centres, e-libraries, e-employment centres and free public Wi-Fi hotspots. She said he also used teleconferencing to conduct meetings with officials in South Punjab, reflecting his early focus on technology-driven governance. Shaza Fatima said that after assuming office, one of the government’s first priorities was to accelerate digital transformation and improve nationwide connectivity. She said the Prime Minister extended full support to the government’s fibreisation programme and spectrum reforms, while Pakistan also landed new submarine fibre-optic cables and introduced Sea-WE fibre-related licences to strengthen international connectivity. Shaza Fatima said the spectrum auction generated $509 million in revenue while securing 480 MHz of spectrum, which she described as the largest spectrum auction in the world. DNA
