Islamabad, January 13, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday received a high-level delegation from global telecommunications company Ericsson at the Prime Minister’s House. The delegation was led by Mr. Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson.
The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated Ericsson’s longstanding presence and investment in Pakistan, acknowledging the company’s contribution to the development of the country’s telecommunications sector over more than six decades.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the role of next-generation digital connectivity in driving economic growth, enhancing productivity, and improving public service delivery. The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s keen interest in benefiting from Ericsson’s global expertise in advanced network technologies, including 5G, while ensuring that digital infrastructure remains secure, resilient, and aligned with national requirements.
Both sides also explored potential cooperation in digital skills development, financial inclusion, and the expansion of cashless payment systems. The use of technology to strengthen disaster preparedness and institutional resilience was another key area of discussion.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting foreign investors and strategic technology partners, emphasizing Pakistan’s focus on creating a conducive environment for innovation and investment.
The Ericsson delegation commended the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to modernize and upgrade the country’s IT and telecommunications infrastructure, including progress toward the 5G spectrum auction.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Technology Ms. Shaza Fatma Khawaja, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and senior government officials were also present at the meeting.
