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Business Recorder
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Digital promise, analogue problems
Pakistan stands at the edge of a digital breakthrough if we look at the mobile broadband covering nearly 98 percent of its population, a growing digital services sector, and the presence of proactive regulatory institutions like the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). On the face of it, the foundations of a thriving digital economy are already in place. Yet, the promise remains largely unfulfilled. The Asian Development Bank's new report—Pakistan's Digital Ecosystem: A Diagnostic Report—is a timely reality check. It spells out a hard truth: structural weaknesses, fragmented governance, poor digital literacy, and limited private investment are weighing down Pakistan's digital ascent. Without urgent, coordinated, and strategic reforms, the country risks losing its digital dividend and leaving behind the very populations it seeks to uplift. Looking at the telecom sector, a vital backbone of any digital economy, it mirrors this paradox. On paper, Pakistan boasts one of the most liberalized telecom markets in the region. The PTA and MoITT have actively pursued policies that encourage competition and private participation. The Universal Service Fund (USF), for instance, has made headway in expanding infrastructure to underserved regions. However, the on-ground reality is less broadband coverage is near-universal, actual usage lags due to affordability barriers and poor digital literacy. Service reliability is patchy, particularly in rural areas, where quality-of-service issues persist. Secondly, the telecommunication is a competitive market and is under pressure. While multiple operators operate in the country, declining investment levels, macroeconomic instability, currency depreciation, and difficulty in repatriating profits have left telecom players cautious and constrained. Sector-specific taxes and regulatory fees further erode margins, reducing incentives for expansion and innovation. Then the fragmented governance in a challenge. Policy implementation suffers from overlapping jurisdictions between the MoITT, PTA, and provincial IT boards. The private sector often remains on the sidelines during policymaking, eroding trust and weakening reform outcomes. Not to forget the unfinished 5G roadmap. The sector has been preparing for 5G rollout. Yet timelines remain vague, and the broader regulatory and investment environment remains uncertain—delaying momentum at a time when digital economies across the region are accelerating. ADB calls for some bold moves: streamlining the roles of key institutions, lowering sector-specific taxes, improving spectrum management, and fostering an investor-friendly environment. These aren't new ideas—but the urgency today is. Nothing captures the friction between promise and paralysis better than the stalled merger between PTCL and Telenor Pakistan. On the surface, the merger is part of Telenor's global strategy: exit from financially unviable markets through consolidation. It has done so in Myanmar and India, driven by regulatory uncertainty and poor market conditions. But Pakistan adds its own twist to the story—one that underscores why digital progress here remains stuck in second gear. The unresolved dues from PTCL's privatization to Etisalat continue to haunt the merger process. The issue has remained a political and legal minefield. Then the absence of cohesive digital governance and the lack of clarity on licensing, spectrum pricing, and competition regulation have made it harder for such a deal to pass cleanly through institutional channels. Judicial entanglements beyond CCP are also stalling the process further. Moreover, precarious financials, fears of market concentration and unclear documentation have also kept the deal in limbo. In a recent interview with BR Research, Jon Omund Revhaug, Executive Vice President and Head of Telenor Asia, pointed out, 'Telecom is a capital-intensive industry, and the current industry structure does not support meaningful investment in the sector. A swift resolution of the ongoing sale process would create a stronger second-position player in the market, one who is better positioned to invest in critical digital infrastructure, resilient data networks, and future technologies that can drive innovation at an accelerated pace.' The numbers reinforce this urgency. Telecom investments in Pakistan have plunged by over 60 percent in under four years, as reported in the Pakistan Economic Survey FY 2025—underscoring the urgent need for sectoral restructuring to revive investor confidence and sustain future growth. The message of the ADB's diagnostic is clear: Pakistan's digital story doesn't need new chapters—it needs editing, clarity, and better structure. The tools, coverage, and institutional frameworks are there. But unless governance becomes more coherent, regulations more investor-friendly, and digital literacy more widespread, the country's digital ecosystem will continue to look like an impressive building—missing a roof. If there's one lesson from the PTCL-Telenor case, it's that no amount of infrastructure or global strategy can override weak systems, legacy burdens, and fragmented leadership. For Pakistan to truly unlock its digital dividend, it must stop laying more bricks and start fixing the foundation.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IT ministry, Binance Academy launch nationwide blockchain education drive
Under the agreement, university educators will undergo intensive training in blockchain fundamentals, including BNB Chain, Solidity programming, and essential Web3 concepts. PHOTO: BINANCE WEBSITE Listen to article In a landmark move to promote digital literacy and future-ready skills, Binance Academy has partnered with Pakistan's Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) to roll out a nationwide blockchain education initiative. The programme is set to train 300 university educators and reach over 80,000 students across 20 institutions by 2026. The collaboration falls under Binance's Global University Outreach Program (GUOP), the world's largest blockchain education drive, aiming to cultivate a new generation of Web3 professionals. The initiative aligns with Pakistan's national digital transformation goals, positioning the country as a growing hub of blockchain expertise. Under the agreement, university educators will undergo intensive training in blockchain fundamentals, including BNB Chain, Solidity programming, and essential Web3 concepts. Upon certification, they will independently teach the newly developed curriculum. Students completing the courses will also receive official accreditation. 'As blockchain reshapes the global financial landscape, empowering people with the right skills is essential,' said Bader Al Kalooti, Head of Growth and Operations for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia at Binance. 'This partnership marks a significant step toward building a knowledgeable workforce ready to drive digital innovation.' Welcoming the initiative, Minister of IT and Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, noted its potential impact on Pakistan's long-term economic trajectory. 'This partnership contributes to our digital transformation by positioning Pakistan as a global source of skilled blockchain talent,' she said. 'By collaborating with Binance and the Blockchain & AI Technology Center, we are equipping our students to lead in the digital economy.' Binance Academy has been active in Pakistan since 2022, having already trained over 3,000 students across 13 universities in three provinces. The new programme expands that effort on a national scale, leveraging past success to deliver widespread access to cutting-edge technology education. Globally, the GUOP began in Kazakhstan in 2023 and has since expanded to over 20 countries. Its broader target is to impact more than 200 universities across 50 countries, reaching one million students by 2026. The Binance Academy–MoITT partnership represents a significant step in embedding blockchain education into Pakistan's academic framework. By focusing on practical skills and global competitiveness, the initiative is expected to foster a generation of innovators prepared to lead in the digital economy — both locally and internationally.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Binance Academy and Pakistan's Ministry of IT and Telecom partner to advance nationwide blockchain education
Binance Academy, the open-access blockchain and crypto learning hub of Binance, and the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) in Pakistan today announced a partnership to advance blockchain education across the nation. This initiative will provide tailored blockchain education support for professors and educators, who will, in turn, empower students across Pakistan's leading universities. The program seeks to cover 20 universities across the country, targeting 300 educators and 80,000 students by 2026, aimed to build a strong pipeline of blockchain talent equipped to contribute to both local and global tech ecosystems. This partnership builds upon the foundations laid by the Global University Outreach Program (GUOP), the world's largest Web3 educational initiative, launched through a strategic collaboration between Binance Academy and the Blockchain & AI Technology Center (BAITC). The focus is now on integrating blockchain education into university curricula worldwide, fostering human capital development through open educational programs, industry partnerships, and professional certifications. 'As blockchain reshapes the global financial landscape, empowering people with the right skills is essential to unlocking its potential,' said Bader Al Kalooti, MEASA Head of Growth and Operations at Binance. 'Our collaboration with the Ministry of IT and Telecom in Pakistan marks a significant step toward building a knowledgeable workforce ready to drive innovation and foster growth in the digital economy. Together, we're laying the foundation for a future where blockchain technology creates opportunities across every sector.' This national educational initiative is set to cultivate a generation of blockchain-empowered professionals who will drive Pakistan's adoption of innovative technologies. The Minister of IT and Telecom, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, expressed strong support for the program, stating, 'In line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a digitally empowered Pakistan, this partnership marks an important milestone in the country's digital transformation. It contributes to economic growth and positions Pakistan as a global source of skilled blockchain talent. By joining forces with the world's leading crypto exchange, Binance, along with the Blockchain & AI Technology Center, we are equipping our students with cutting-edge knowledge, preparing them to shape the future of the digital economy and strengthen Pakistan's presence in the global tech landscape.' The partnership with the Pakistan's Ministry of IT and Telecom underscores Binance's dedication to collaborating with the country's government to foster a secure and innovative environment for blockchain adoption. By aligning with local standards and supporting the education of future leaders, Binance aims to contribute to a well-regulated, consumer-protective digital landscape that advances Pakistan's position in the evolving global digital economy. Since 2022, Binance Academy has already empowered over 3,000 students across 13 universities and three provinces in Pakistan with market-ready Web 3.0 skills through dedicated training initiatives. The Global University Outreach Program began its journey in 2023 with a pioneering pilot in Kazakhstan and has since expanded to 20 countries. With the ambitious goal of reaching over 200 universities across 50+ countries, the program aims to educate more than one million students by 2026, empowering a new generation of blockchain professionals worldwide. About Binance Academy Binance Academy is a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency education platform featuring over 1,000 articles and glossary entries, plus courses on blockchain, cryptocurrencies, Web3, and more. Launched in 2018, it serves millions of learners across the world in more than 30 languages. Binance Academy's educational initiatives also include Learn and Earn, the University Outreach Program, Student Ambassador Program, as well as partnerships with top online learning platforms, professional associations, and industry alliances. About Blockchain & AI Technology Center (BAITC) The Blockchain & AI Technology Center (BAITC) is a global research institution focused on accelerating the global adoption of blockchain and AI. Operating in over 20 countries, BAITC offers a wide range of accessible educational programs and collaborates across industries to provide open bootcamps, hackathons, corporate training sessions, and tech career development initiatives, including Career Bootcamps. For more information, visit:
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan to expand fiber connectivity to 7.5m homes in five years
A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) is being recruited to oversee the policy's development. PHOTO: PEXELS Listen to article Pakistan plans to dramatically enhance its digital infrastructure by extending fiber-optic connectivity to 7.5 million households and achieving 80 percent fiber-to-the-site (FTTS) coverage within the next five years, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) announced. These goals form a central part of the upcoming National Fiberization Policy, being crafted under the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). The initiative aims to bolster the country's fixed broadband infrastructure and raise average download speeds to 60 Mbps nationwide. A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) is being recruited to oversee the policy's development. Once established, the PMU will hire a consultancy firm through a competitive bidding process to assist in finalizing the policy framework. This strategic move is designed to prepare Pakistan for emerging technologies like 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), while also ensuring robust digital connectivity. The policy emphasizes private sector investment and aims to eliminate long-standing deployment barriers by focusing on key areas such as rationalizing right-of-way (RoW) charges, streamlining approval procedures, and encouraging infrastructure sharing. According to MoITT, Pakistan currently has over 211,000 kilometers of deployed optical fiber cable, split between 75,967 km of long-haul and 135,506 km of metro fiber. However, officials say this infrastructure is insufficient to meet rising demand and evolving technological needs. The Telecom Wing of MoITT is leading the policy development in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and industry stakeholders. A series of consultations are planned to develop cost-sharing models and single-window clearance systems. The policy also aligns with broader economic goals, promoting local manufacturing of fiber-optic components to reduce import reliance. The final draft of the National Fiberization Policy is expected to be completed by the end of the year, setting the stage for a digitally connected and future-ready Pakistan.
Express Tribune
27-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Remittances and exports rise in first seven months of fiscal year
Listen to article Pakistan recorded an increase in remittances, exports, and imports during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, according to the Ministry of Finance's monthly economic outlook report, Express News reported on Thursday. The report said remittances rose by 25.2% from July to January, while exports climbed by 9.7% and imports by 16.8%. The current account showed a surplus of over $680 million during the period. Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan increased from $8 billion to over $11.2 billion, while the rupee remained stable. The Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) tax collection grew by 26.2% in the first six months, with non-tax revenue rising by 82%. The fiscal deficit fell by 36.1% during the same period. Inflation dropped from 28.7% to 6.5% over seven months, the report added, while more than 63,000 Pakistanis went abroad for employment in January. IT sector eyes $25m in exports to Qatar Moreover, Pakistan's IT exporters plan to increase the export of IT and IT-enabled services to Qatar, a key potential market, to $25 million in the next few years. In collaboration with the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), IT exporters are working on aggressive strategic expansion plans in both traditional and emerging markets with cutting-edge products and services. As part of this initiative, a delegation of 10 IT companies with over 30 delegates is attending Web Summit Qatar 2025, one of the world's leading technology conferences. The delegation is showcasing Pakistan's dynamic IT and tech innovation landscape at a dedicated Pakistan Pavilion. Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) Senior Vice Chairman Umair Nizam said that Qatar's significant market is now opening up for Pakistani IT companies in a meaningful way due to the strides of Pakistan's IT industry, backed by the SIFC, PSEB, and MoITT.
