A strategic expansion of Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Pakistan is crucial for digital inclusion, yet the adoption rates remain uneven and low, especially in remote and rural districts. The governance and systemic challenges in these regions hinder the actual utilization of ICT services, despite public-private initiatives to extend broadband and telephony services. Key issues in these areas include:
- Limited electricity access, which is a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of ICTs.
- Inadequate digital literacy, which can be defined as the ability to use ICT tools effectively to perform various tasks, solve problems, and communicate in a digital environment.
- Low awareness of ICT’s economic potential, which can lead to a lack of investment in digital infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of ICT in these regions are substantial. By leveraging technology, these districts can:
- Enhance productivity and livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and small-scale enterprises.
- Improve access to information and services, reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
The situation in capitals is also not too encouraging, with ICT adoption rates ranging from 29% to 38% in major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar. However, there are areas where these adoption scores are too low, and in some districts, ICT adoption is zero. Furthermore, digital literacy is a significant concern, even in Islamabad, where only 10% of the population is digitally literate. The World Population Review ranks Pakistan 198th in terms of internet quality, with an average mobile internet download speed of 19.59 Mbps and broadband internet averaging 15.52 Mbps. The Universal Service Fund (USF), a ministry of IT and Telecommunication’s sub- entity, aims to increase the reach of telecom and broadband services to unserved and underserved areas of Pakistan through public-private partnerships. However, the situation remains unsatisfactory. E-Pakistan stands as a key pillar of the government’s URAAN Pakistan initiative, a transformative blueprint designed to harness the power of digital technology to accelerate sustainable economic growth, enhance governance, and promote social inclusion. By digitizing public services, streamlining processes, and expanding digital access, E-Pakistan aims to empower citizens, foster transparency, and position Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital economy. A
“We believe that digital transformation is the key to unlocking Pakistan’s growth potential,”
said the Minister of IT and Telecommunication. “E-Pakistan is a game-changer for our country, and we are committed to making it a success.”
The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) is organizing the 38th Annual General Meeting & Conference with the main theme of ‘URAAN Pakistan: Growth through Digital Transformation.’ This initiative recognizes the significance of the ICT issues Pakistan is currently facing and how streamlining these issues can contribute to the nation’s development and help achieve the URAAN Pakistan goals. The conference will provide a national forum to coordinate policy, research, and innovation around the objective of digital adoption, with the ambitious goal of accelerating Pakistan’s growth towards a trillion-dollar economy by 2035. Policymakers, economists, business executives, and tech innovators will convene at the conference to determine the best methods to integrate digital technologies into important domains, including governance, energy, education, finance, and trade. Through high-impact panel discussions, technical sessions, and papers being presented by global experts, the conference will foster actionable insights tailored to Pakistan’s unique challenges. The conference will also highlight critical themes like AI in education, fintech-driven financial inclusion, smart cities, and reskilling for the digital workforce. By facilitating collaboration and honoring groundbreaking research, URAAN will not only raise awareness but will actively shape the policy discourse required to transition Pakistan into a competitive, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital economy. As the writer of this article, I firmly believe that digital transformation is a necessity, and the URAAN Pakistan initiative provides the strategic direction to bridge the digital divide, empower youth with future-ready skills, and foster innovation across sectors. It is imperative that we work together to make this vision a reality. “Pakistan is on the cusp of a digital revolution, and we must seize this opportunity to transform our economy and society,” said the Minister of IT and Telecommunication.
