Islamabad, May 11, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting on the affairs and ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, reaffirming the government’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation and boosting Pakistan’s IT exports.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said the promotion of the information technology sector and enhancement of IT-related exports remained among the government’s foremost priorities. He emphasized that Pakistan’s youth possessed tremendous potential in the field of technology and innovation, stressing the need to fully harness their capabilities for national economic growth.
The prime minister directed authorities to expedite work on establishing Easy Service Centers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He also instructed officials to coordinate with provincial governments for the expansion of Easy Service facilities across the country.
Highlighting the importance of bridging the digital divide, PM Shehbaz called for enhanced cooperation with provincial and district administrations to improve IT access in rural and underserved areas.
During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that domestic internet connections across Pakistan had increased significantly from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.10 million in 2026, reflecting rapid digital expansion nationwide.
The meeting was further informed that Pakistan’s IT exports were projected to reach between $4.5 billion and $4.6 billion during the current fiscal year, marking a substantial boost for the country’s technology-driven economy.
Officials also briefed the prime minister on the recent 5G spectrum auction held in Pakistan, describing it as the world’s largest such auction since 2016. The auction reportedly generated revenue of $509 million for the national exchequer.
In the field of artificial intelligence, the meeting was told that the “Indus AI Week,” organized in February 2025, featured events in 30 cities across Pakistan. More than 100 international delegates participated in the initiative, while 88 exhibition pavilions were established to showcase emerging technologies and innovation.
The meeting was also informed that fiber connectivity had been extended to government schools and health units in Islamabad, while the project for free public internet hotspots in the federal capital had entered its final stages.
Additionally, e-learning pods are being installed at Saidpur Model Village and Fatima Jinnah Park to support digital education initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior government officials.
