The GSMA has called on the Pakistani government to take concrete actions to boost telecom investment and expand digital access. During a press conference at the “Digital Nation Conference” in Islamabad, GSMA Asia-Pacific Head, Julian Gorman, described the absence of Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima, as “regrettable” and stated he would contact her directly.
Gorman acknowledged Pakistan’s growing role in the global IT sector, particularly crediting its freelancers, but pointed out that the country’s mobile broadband coverage remains the lowest in the region. He emphasized that despite strong local demand, spectrum availability continues to lag behind. Gorman stressed that a spectrum auction is essential to achieving the goals of the “Digital Pakistan” initiative.
Gorman confirmed that the GSMA has submitted a detailed report to the Government of Pakistan outlining significant investment opportunities in the telecom sector. He urged a review of the high taxation on the telecom sector and mobile devices, arguing that public access to smartphones must be prioritized. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of public trust in the digital space for building a cashless economy, stressing the need to safeguard digital security and protect online transactions.
