Pakistan is working to establish 100 Mbps as the country’s baseline internet speed and expand fibre-to-the-home connectivity to 10 million households by 2030, according to Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja. Speaking at the High-Level Plenary of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in Baku, she said the country aims to grow into a regional hub for AI and cloud services under the Connect Pakistan 2030 vision.
She emphasized that connectivity is now a “lifeline,” pointing to Pakistan’s fast-growing digital economy and strong ICT sector as anchors of future development. The minister highlighted reforms under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, which is driving e-governance improvements, smart city deployment and advanced IoT initiatives.
Digital inclusion remains a priority. Shaza Fatima cited progress in women’s digital participation, increasing AI skills training, and the emergence of women-led startups as key national successes. She noted Pakistan’s enhanced global standing in cybersecurity, digital services, and policy modernization.
She added that Pakistan intends to play a leading role in digital cooperation across the Global South and be “a rule-shaper, not just a rule-taker” in global AI governance. The minister urged international partners and private investors to support infrastructure expansion, warning that sustainable connectivity relies on closing gaps in access, adoption, and affordability.
