Shaza Fatima stresses digital economy push

Shaza Fatima stresses digital economy push

Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima has said Pakistan is accelerating the use of modern technology to strengthen its financial system and build a more inclusive digital economy.

She said the government is taking practical steps to expand digital financial services and bring more citizens into the formal digital economy. According to the minister, the wider adoption of technology can make financial transactions faster, improve transparency and help strengthen public confidence in government and financial institutions.

Shaza Fatima said digitalisation remains a key part of the government’s broader economic and administrative reform agenda. She emphasised that modern digital systems can reduce reliance on traditional processes, improve the delivery of services and create greater transparency across different sectors.

The minister said the government has placed particular emphasis on expanding digital wallets and encouraging the digital transformation of the country’s financial system. She said accessible digital payment solutions can provide citizens with more convenient ways to conduct transactions while supporting the wider shift towards a technology-driven economy.

She also highlighted the importance of ensuring that people can easily access and use digital financial services. The government, she said, wants to create an environment where digital tools become an integral part of everyday economic activity and contribute to greater financial inclusion.

Discussing investment and economic development, Shaza Fatima described the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as an important and effective platform for advancing national development. She said the council provides a mechanism for relevant institutions to coordinate their efforts and facilitate investment-related initiatives.

The minister noted that different government institutions are working together through the SIFC to support national development and create an environment conducive to investment. She said coordinated efforts could help unlock economic opportunities, strengthen key sectors and support Pakistan’s long-term growth objectives.

Shaza Fatima further stressed that digital transformation and economic development should move forward together. She said the adoption of modern technology, combined with stronger investment facilitation, can help Pakistan improve the efficiency of its institutions, expand economic opportunities and prepare the country for an increasingly digital global economy.

The government’s focus on digital wallets, financial digitalisation and investment facilitation reflects its broader efforts to modernise economic systems and encourage greater participation in the formal digital economy.