Islamabad : Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan, Member, Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, has warned that Pakistan cannot afford to miss the emerging knowledge economy after historically missing earlier industrial revolutions as digital infrastructure and related legislation are critical for the future competitiveness.
Dr Afnan was speaking at a Public Private Dialogue on “Building the 5G Economy: Industry 4.0, enterprise uptake and ecosystem preparedness” organised here by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
The senator informed the participants that a Data Protection Bill had been tabled in the Senate to attract foreign investment in data centres. He further said international investors preferred countries with robust data protection laws, as only the legislation can unlock billions of dollars in foreign direct investment.
Cautioning against the emergence of a surveillance state, he emphasised the importance of data localisation, digital rights and affordable internet access. He lauded the role of the government, PTA and industry for successfully conducting the 5G spectrum auction.
Dr Muhammad Mukkaram Khan, Director-General, Cyber Vigilance, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), said the authority is working on alternative connectivity arrangements to reduce dependence on submarine cables vulnerable to regional conflicts. He said PTA directed telecom operators to develop satellite links and synchronise network time protocols with China to ensure uninterrupted services. He acknowledged that Pakistan still relied heavily on international internet routing systems, resulting in significant foreign exchange outflows.
Dr Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director (SDPI, said the economic benefits of 5G would depend on how effectively Pakistan integrated the technology into local and regional value chains. He said conservative global estimates suggested that even a moderate 5G rollout could raise economic productivity by two to three per cent annually, translating into nearly $12 billion in additional economic output for Pakistan every year.
Jahanzaib Raheem, Member, IT and Telecommunication Ministry, said Pakistan’s telecom sector is evolving into a digital connectivity infrastructure sector requiring large-scale capital investments. He said the government adopted an umbrella policy approach covering mobile, terrestrial and optic fiber connectivity.
