IT Minister, PTA Chairman Reveal Plan to Make Pakistan the Digital Hub of South Asia

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is hosting the 26th Meeting of the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-26) in Islamabad under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT). The inaugural session was held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, marking the commencement of this exclusive closed-door regulators’ meeting attended by SG APT, heads of telecommunication authorities, senior policymakers, and ICT experts from SATRC member countries. Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman, HI (M), SI, highlighted Pakistan’s leadership role in advancing regulatory harmony and regional cooperation. He reaffirmed PTA’s dedication to digital inclusion, emerging technologies, and ICT resilience, noting that SATRC-26 reflects the shared vision for a connected and innovative South Asia. The Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting regional digital collaboration and sustainable ICT growth. Dr. Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of APT, commended PTA’s efforts in hosting the event and emphasized the importance of collective regional action to harness emerging technologies for equitable digital transformation. The inaugural session underscored PTA’s leadership and commitment to strengthening regional dialogue on ICT policy and regulation, reaffirming Pakistan’s role as a key enabler of digital cooperation and a driving force toward a connected and inclusive South Asia.