Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja marked Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day with the unveiling of the country’s “Digital Future” vision, aligning technology and innovation with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s dream of a progressive, self-reliant nation.
Speaking at a special ceremony organised by the Ministry of IT & Telecom and its allied organisations, the minister linked the spirit of independence to “digital sovereignty”, building a strong Pakistan through advancements in technology, innovation, and governance. The event gathered leaders from government, industry, startups, and academia to celebrate national progress.
This year’s Independence Day also commemorated Pakistan’s landmark victory in Marka-e-Haq during Operation Bunyān-ul-Marsūs in May, which Shaza described as a blueprint for achieving success across all sectors. She praised the Armed Forces, the Federal Cabinet, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and Field Marshal COAS General Syed Asim Munir for their leadership in steering Pakistan’s economic and technological advancement.
Highlighting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “Digital Nation Pakistan” agenda, she outlined its three core pillars, Digital Economy, Digital Society, and Digital Governance, as the foundation for leapfrogging into developed nation status. She cited Pakistan’s elevation to Tier-1 “Role Modelling” status in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, its first-ever inclusion in the “High EGDI” category of the UN E-Government Development Index, and a sharp reduction in the mobile internet gender gap from 38% to 25% as evidence of progress.
The minister announced a roadmap for digital transformation, including the National AI Policy 2025, the National Fiberisation Initiative to expand high-speed internet nationwide, a 5G-ready IMT Spectrum Auction, and the launch of satellite internet services to connect all regions. She also unveiled the “Uninterrupted Internet for IT Companies Policy” to ensure reliable connectivity for IT exports.
Under the DigiSkills 3.0 programme, more than 3.3 million IT professionals will be trained over the next three years, including 300,000 through Huawei and 200,000 through Google, with a strong focus on youth and women’s empowerment.
Shaza concluded by calling on Pakistanis to harness the same unity and determination that secured victory in Marka-e-Haq to build a digitally advanced, inclusive, and prosperous nation.
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