Pakistan’s digital connectivity has witnessed a significant surge in 2024, with 96% of households having access to a mobile or smartphone. According to the recent report by the statistics authority, the country has seen a remarkable increase in internet usage, with over 70% of households using the internet. In comparison to 2019, internet usage has more than doubled. The report highlights that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leads the way in digital access, with 77% of the province having internet access, and individual internet usage has increased from 17% to 57%.
The report further states that 92% of citizens in Pakistan use mobile phones, with women in urban areas using the internet more than men. Interestingly, women and men are using the internet equally, while improvements have been observed in digital awareness, online safety, and digital skills. However, the recent arrest of PTI’s founding member, Azam Swati, has raised questions about the government’s intentions. Swati was arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and his family has expressed concerns about his treatment.
In a separate incident, four robbers were killed in a shootout with police in Rawalpindi’s Saddar area. The police had been tracking the robbers for several days and had received a tip-off about their location. The robbers were armed with guns and had been involved in several robberies in the area.
In a rare display of unity, the Punjab government has announced that it will provide free electricity to the people of the province for a period of 30 days to mitigate the effects of the severe heatwave. The move has been welcomed by the people, who have been struggling to cope with the intense heat.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani cricket team has been practicing at the National Stadium in Karachi, ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The team is expected to leave for Colombo on Sunday, where they will play a three-match Test series.
In other news, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning about a severe heatwave that is expected to hit the country in the next few days. The PMD has advised people to stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also announced that it will launch a new mobile app to help people track the location of their loved ones in case of an emergency. The app, called “Find Me,” will use GPS technology to locate the user’s location and send alerts to their contacts.
In a move to promote digital literacy, the government has announced that it will launch a new program to teach people how to use digital tools and platforms. The program, called “Digital Pakistan,” will be launched next month and will target people from all walks of life.
In a related development, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has announced that it will launch a new initiative to promote digital entrepreneurship in the country. The initiative, called “Digital Pakistan 2.0,” will provide funding and resources to startups and entrepreneurs who are working on digital projects.
The government has also announced that it will launch a new program to promote digital tourism in the country. The program, called “Digital Pakistan Tourism,” will be launched next month and will target tourists from all over the world.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s digital landscape is expanding rapidly, with more and more people having access to the internet and digital tools. The government is taking steps to promote digital literacy and entrepreneurship, and the country is expected to see significant economic growth in the coming years.
