Islamabad:
The GSMA has indicated that despite the digital ambitions and talent of Pakistan, the country runs the risk of being behind in the region if urgent telecommunications policy reforms are not introduced. Without a reform, investors can leave and citizens will suffer, he warned.
At the Summit of the Digital Nation GSMA 2025, Julian Gorman, Chief of Asia Pacific in GSMA, identified three key obstacles to Pakistan’s digital growth: high taxes, limited spectrum and policy inconsistencies.
It is pertinent to note that the minister of Ti Shaza Fatima Khawaja jumped the high -profile GSMA conference, generating frustration among the leaders of the telecommunications industry.
“It is unfortunate that the minister is not present,” said a senior GSMA official while talking with journalists on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after the summit, Gorman said that the reduction of telecommunications taxes was possible, even under programs of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), citing Argentina as an example.
“If urgent reforms are not implemented, investors will move to other countries,” he warned. “Independent workers in Pakistan can also lose their livelihoods if they do not have adequate internet and electricity.” He also said that spectrum demand has grown and urged the government to close the gap in the use and availability of the spectrum.
Gorman expressed concern about the slow rhythm of Pakistan digitalization.
“We are reaching a critical point as artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies are quickly evolving throughout the world,” he said.
In addition, he noticed that satellite -based internet should be accelerated in Pakistan, since it could benefit the economy, IT sector and social development.
While asking for a broader use of the Internet, GSMA also emphasized the importance of building a ‘digital confidence’.
“From personal identity and financial data to vital information, digital trust is essential. The system must guarantee consumer safety,” Gorman said. During the event, GSMA also launched its report entitled “Unlocking the digital potential of Pakistan: reform, trust and opportunity”.
The report declared that Pakistan is at the launch of 5G, while other countries in Asia-Pacific are progressing rapidly to support smart cities, digital industries and inclusive growth.
He stressed that 5G is more than speed: it allows real -time services, industrial automation and digital inclusion. The report also revealed that smartphones face up to 40% in tariffs and customs taxes, while mobile broadband is loaded by multiple fiscal layers.
GSMA urged Pakistan to align their fiscal policies with their digital development objectives. At the same summit, Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance, spoke about the progress of the Government under the digital initiative of Pakistan.
He said that economic digitalization implies reforming the Federal Income Board (FBR) with AI, promoting an economy without effective and expanding digital public infrastructure.
“Our goal is to digitize all government payments within 18 months, not only emit E-Chepes but also implement a system without end to extreme effective,” he said.
He stressed that the only solution to public challenges lies in digital -based systems.
Telenor Pakistan’s CEO, Khurrum Ashfaq, said many complaints from the telecommunications sector derive from unrelated problems such as loading detachment, which still affect the industry.
Meanwhile, the president of the Telecommunications Authority of Pakistan (PTA), Maj Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, admitted that the trip to Pakistan Digital has been difficult and complicated. He underlined the high positions collected by several government departments to place fiber optic cables.
He added that the government has now decided to abolish all those “right of passage” positions.
The president of the Association of Pakistan Software Houses (P@Sha), Sajad Syed, painted a gloomy image of the IT sector. He said that a national approach is required to support industry’s growth.
Syed also warned that Pakistan’s Ti exports growth rate is decreasing what he explained that it was an alarming trend.
“This means that the IT industry is moving outside the country,” he said.
