During a public-private dialogue hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), experts emphasized the critical need for a robust and resilient internet infrastructure to achieve Pakistan’s ambitious IT export targets. The discussion, under the theme “Preserving the Lifeline of Our Modern World: Strengthening the Internet Resilience in Pakistan,” brought to light the importance of modern technology and diversified connectivity to foster growth in the digital economy.
Brigadier (R) Mohammad Yasin, Senior Advisor Emeritus at SDPI, expressed concern over Pakistan’s poor internet performance, highlighting its impact on key sectors like business, education, and healthcare. “Sluggish speeds and frequent disruptions are taking a toll on businesses, education, healthcare, and governance,” Yasin remarked, pointing to Pakistan’s low rankings—100th in mobile internet speed and 141st in broadband—in a recent OKLA Internet Speed Test report.
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The dialogue featured insights from Jahanzeb Rahim, Member (Telecom) at the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, who stressed Pakistan’s over-reliance on submarine cables. He proposed diversifying connectivity through terrestrial links and satellite systems, urging collaboration between the government, industry, and academia to promote sustainable growth. Rahim also noted Pakistan’s underutilized fibre optic manufacturing capacity, calling for scaling up efforts to meet growing demands.
Other experts, including Dr. Muhammad Mukarram Khan of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, raised concerns over cyber-attacks and their impact on connectivity. He cautioned that internet disruptions should be avoided as they undermine trust among citizens and businesses. Meanwhile, international ICT consultant Parvez Iftikhar recommended creating terrestrial links with neighboring countries like China, Central Asia, and Afghanistan to improve internet resilience.
The dialogue highlighted that without a stable and resilient internet infrastructure, Pakistan’s ambition to increase IT exports from $2 billion to $25 billion could face significant setbacks. Experts urged immediate action to secure the country’s digital future and mitigate the effects of both natural and man-made disruptions.
