Pakistan needs action on digital transformation

September 17, 2026

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has once again presented an ambitious long-term vision for Pakistan. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Digital Economy Forum in Urumqi, he unveiled a digital transformation roadmap aimed at helping Pakistan become a $1 trillion economy by 2035 under the government’s Uraan Pakistan programme. The targets sound impressive. Pakistan has more than 150 million digital users, data consumption has increased, and IT and ICT exports have reached a record $4.6 billion. The government also plans to expand broadband and fibre-optic connections and increase access to high-speed internet.

The minister has also highlighted progress in reducing the digital gender gap. More women are now using mobile internet, while the reported gap between men and women in digital access has fallen significantly. These developments are important. But Pakistan has heard many ambitious plans and long-term targets before. The real question is not how many roadmaps are announced. The real question is how many of these plans are actually implemented.

Ahsan Iqbal is good at presenting long-term plans and setting ambitious national targets. His ability to explain a future vision is well known. But Pakistan now needs something more than another roadmap. It needs action, implementation and measurable results. The digital economy cannot grow through announcements alone. Fibre-optic networks must reach ordinary households. Internet access must become affordable. Universities and technical institutions must produce skilled workers. Pakistani companies must be helped to develop their own technology products instead of depending mainly on traditional IT services. The government must also ensure that digital opportunities reach smaller cities, rural areas, women and young people. Without wider access, digital transformation could benefit only a limited section of society. Pakistan certainly needs a long-term digital vision. But the country also needs a strong system to turn that vision into reality. Targets should be followed by deadlines, investment, monitoring and accountability.