ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday sought to project Pakistan’s information technology sector as a beacon of growth, citing rising exports and connectivity initiatives, even as the country grapples with persistent financial instability and dependence on external bailouts.
اسلام آباد : 11 مئی، 2026
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے وزارت انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی و ٹیلی کام کے امور پر جائزہ اجلاس کی صدارت کی.
اجلاس سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے وزیرِ اعظم نے کہا کہ ملک میں آئی ٹی کے شعبے کا فروغ اور آئی ٹی سے متعلق برآمدات میں اضافہ حکومت کی اولین ترجیحات میں شامل ہے.… pic.twitter.com/VBmQYpHpJq
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) May 11, 2026
Chairing a review meeting on the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, the premier declared IT promotion and export expansion as “top priorities,” stressing the untapped potential of Pakistan’s youth. He directed officials to expedite Easy Service Centers in Gilgit‑Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and to coordinate with provincial governments to bridge the urban‑rural digital divide.
Official press note states that the meeting was attended by senior cabinet members including Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani.
Officials briefed the meeting that domestic internet connections had surged from 1.9 million in 2024 to 5.1 million in 2026, while IT exports were expected to reach $4.5–4.6 billion this fiscal year. They also highlighted the recent 5G auction—hailed as the world’s largest since 2016—which generated $509 million in revenue, alongside initiatives such as Indus AI Week, fiber connectivity for schools, and free internet hotspots nearing completion in Islamabad.
However, observers noted that the celebratory tone at the meeting contrasts with Pakistan’s broader economic reality.
The IT sector’s incremental gains remain modest against the backdrop of mounting debt obligations, inflationary pressures, and IMF‑driven fiscal adjustments. Critics note that while e‑learning pods and AI showcases offer symbolic progress, they do little to offset structural weaknesses in energy supply, regulatory consistency, and export diversification.
Observers argue that the government’s emphasis on IT achievements reflects a bid to project resilience and modernity, even as Pakistan remains mired in financial limbo—balancing domestic optics with international dependence.
