At the Global Digital Economy Conference held in Beijing on July 2, Pakistan’s Economic Minister at the Embassy’s Economic Wing, Aslam Chaudhary, emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to building digitally inclusive and people-oriented cities in the digital age. While, delivering a keynote speech, Chaudhary noted that the theme of the conference, “Build a Digitally Friendly City” resonates deeply with Pakistan’s national development strategy, which seeks harmony between people and technology.
Chaudhary stressed that creating digitally friendly urban environments goes beyond deploying advanced technologies. It means ensuring that all citizens, urban or rural, can access and benefit from safe, reliable digital services. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to bridge the digital divide, particularly through the establishment of an Inclusive Service Fund. Under the Six One One Foundation framework, this fund has facilitated the installation of optical fiber networks across vast parts of the country, connecting approximately 22,000 villages to the digital grid.
The Minister also pointed out that interoperability and standardization between cities is vital in the digital age, enabling smoother data exchange. He underscored that international cooperation agreements serve as powerful catalysts for the digital progress of developing nations.
Referring to recent international developments, Chaudhary mentioned that Pakistan is set to assume the presidency of the Riyadh-based Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) in 2026, following Kuwait’s term. As part of its presidency, Pakistan will host the Digital Future Development Initiative (DFDI) forum in Islamabad, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s digital transformation journey.
Outlining Pakistan’s vision for this presidency, Chaudhary announced three key initiatives: the promotion of cross-border data flow under South-South cooperation, the development of inclusive digital technologies in key sectors such as agriculture and healthcare, and the joint training of digital talent. He noted that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), both countries have already signed a talent development agreement, reflecting Pakistan’s urgent need to nurture a skilled digital workforce.
To enhance bilateral cooperation further, Chaudhary proposed the creation of a Digital Friendly City Innovation Center, with branches in Beijing, Islamabad, and Karachi. These centers would serve as hubs for joint pilot projects and innovation exchanges between China and Pakistan.
Recognizing Beijing’s strides in becoming a global benchmark for the digital economy and its efforts to build a Digital Silk Road pilot zone, Chaudhary concluded by affirming Pakistan’s willingness to collaborate with China and other global partners. “We want to transform this vision into a tangible digital reality,” he said.
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