Islamabad, Pakistan – Monday, April 29, 2024 – An exclusive virtual industry consultation session, led by Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, H.E Shaza Fatima Khawaja, on the Digital Legislative Agenda, concluded successfully. The session witnessed the presence of H.E Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law and Justice and Federal Secretary of IT and Telecom Mr. Muhammad Mehmood, further enhancing its significance. Organized by Moharram and Partners and Nutshell Group, the session aimed to delve into various aspects of Pakistan’s legislative digital agenda, examining the challenges, opportunities, and best practices for creating an environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment.
The session boasted active participation from key players in the ICT and Fintech industries, including globally renowned companies such as Google, Meta, IBM, Mastercard, Visa, Spotify, Ericsson, and Kaspersky. Additionally, representatives from the Asian Internet Coalition (AIC) also took part in the session, lending their expertise and perspectives.
During the session, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to providing a conducive environment for companies to thrive, extending an invitation to international partners to join hands in this transformative journey. She emphasized the significance of complete digitization in Pakistan, encompassing critical areas such as the digital economy, digital governance, and digitization of society.
The Federal Minister for Law and Justice acknowledged the importance of achieving consensus and establishing mutually beneficial outcomes regarding legal frameworks, recognizing that challenges may arise due to differing perspectives. Nevertheless, the government remains dedicated to seeking common ground and proactively resolving these issues.
Jeff Paine, Managing Director of the Asian Internet Coalition, provided valuable insights into the AIC’s efforts in South Asia, including providing industry feedback on various legislations in Pakistan, such as the personal data protection bill and digital taxation framework.
Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & Chairman of Nutshell Group and Pakistan’s former Minister for Investment, emphasized the substantial role that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications can play in propelling the country’s economy towards a positive trajectory. He underscored the importance of empowering individuals with specialized expertise and clear deadlines, enabling the transformation of policies into tangible realities.
Furthermore, Moustafa Moharram, Chairman of M&P, made a recommendation regarding the launch of a sustainable private-public consultation task force. The task force aims to foster an inclusive environment of engagement, facilitating ongoing collaboration between the public and private sectors. Its purpose is to collectively shape policy decisions that will serve Pakistan’s digital future.
This industry consultation session marks the commencement of a series of technical sessions and bilateral meetings, which will delve into each topic and legislation in greater detail. These sessions will facilitate comprehensive engagement and collaboration within the industry, driving Pakistan’s digital transformation forward.