Page 141 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Minister Khawaja emphasized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s organizations, was attended by GDIP Executive Director Ms. Onica
commitment to a cashless economy and building a digitally N. Makwakwa. During the session, both parties reaffirmed their
empowered society where emerging technologies are key drivers shared commitment to advancing inclusive digital ecosystems,
of economic transformation. Meta briefed the minister on its with a strong emphasis on gender-responsive policies and
latest AI developments, including LLaMA open-source models, equitable access. The PTA provided comprehensive updates
generative AI applications for public services, and local language on its ongoing initiatives, including the progress of the Gender
AI models such as Urdu. (July 11, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com Digital Divide program and the successful execution plan for
the upcoming Subsea Cables Workshop. The discussions also
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) delegation, explored enhanced collaboration under the Gender Inclusion
led by Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, Strategy and identified new avenues for joint efforts to drive
representing the Pakistan, held a high-level bilateral meeting with meaningful connectivity and digital empowerment. PTA remains
the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP) on the sidelines dedicated to fostering inclusive, sustainable digital transformation
of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025. The meeting, held through impactful global partnerships.
in light of the signed Letter of Cooperation between the two (June 24, 2025) www.pta.gov.pk

Qatar

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has opened practice. These include enhanced tariff classification, stricter
a public consultation to seek feedback on the updated Retail provisions on service periods and exit penalties, clearer guidance
Tariff Instruction (RTI) 2025. This consultation is part of CRA’s for promotional and bespoke tariffs, and expanded reporting
ongoing efforts to develop regulatory frameworks and adapt requirements for loyalty programs. And expanding the flexibility in
to changes in the telecommunications sector. The updated providing a variety of services, enhancing consumer value while
version builds on the original Decision of the President of the ensuring regulatory compliance. By allowing the CRA to review
CRA No. (3) of 2018, issuing the Retail Tariff Instruction which each service provider’s retail offers before they are introduced
laid the foundation for Qatar’s retail tariff regulatory framework into the market, and instructing service providers on the extent
and has been in force since January 1, 2019. The RTI applies to and type of information that must be published for each offer, the
all licensed service providers who offer telecom services to the RTI ensures consumers are equipped with the information they
public in Qatar. It sets out rules, procedures, and requirements for need to make informed purchasing decisions. In 2024 alone, CRA
retail offers for telecommunications services. The 2025 revision reviewed over 350 tariff submissions, covering pricing, service
introduces several important updates, drawing on the experience durations, promotional terms, and exit conditions.
accumulated by the CRA in the process of retail tariff regulation (July 13, 2025) www.cra.gov.qa
since the RTI came into force, and aligning with international best

Saudi Arabia

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) cutting-edge regulatory technologies (RegTech), and innovations
has announced the organization of a comprehensive accompanying from leading local and international companies in the ICT and
event on the sidelines of the Global Symposium for Regulators Space sectors. It will also showcase success stories from Saudi
(GSR25), set to take place at the King Abdulaziz Conference Center startups in artificial intelligence and host Sync Digital Wellbeing
in Riyadh from August 31 to September 3, 2025. In this regard, Summit by Ithra. TEDxRiyadh will follow on September 2 as part
Mr. Saeed Al-Ghamdi, Assistant Deputy Governor for Corporate of the broader event program. This globally recognized platform
Communications and Marketing, stated, “This side event is a key will spotlight powerful ideas and transformative stories across
expression of global engagement, offering a dynamic platform fields such as technology and artificial intelligence, with a focus on
to showcase regulatory innovation and share insights on the placing people at the heart of regulatory design. Discussions will
future of digital regulation and emerging technologies. It reflects explore the human dimension of innovation and its wider societal
CST’s commitment to expanding international collaboration and impact. As a whole, the event extends CST’s efforts to position the
reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading advocate for Kingdom as a global hub for innovation and digital regulation. It
sustainable digital regulation.“ The side event kicks off on August contributes to the goals of the digital economy, promotes long-term
31 with the launch of the 10th edition of Media Oasis, developed digital sustainability, strengthens next-generation infrastructure,
in partnership with the Ministry of Media. This interactive space and empowers technologies that connect humanity.
will feature pavilions highlighting major national initiatives, (July 24, 2025) www.cst.gov.sa
141 JUNE-JULY 2025