Pakistan has achieved a notable advancement in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Development Index, with its overall score increasing from 56.4 to 67.7, marking a 20 percent rise, as per official data released on Friday.
Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, praised this progress as a significant accomplishment, crediting the government’s dedicated efforts in the IT and telecommunications sectors under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The improvement was largely driven by enhanced connectivity, where Pakistan saw a 22.8-point surge. Additionally, the country’s Meaningful Connectivity score in digital services reached an impressive 79.
In a significant development, the ITU noted that Pakistan had ascended 27 positions in the global rankings, describing this advancement as a crucial milestone in the nation’s Digital Pakistan initiative.
The ICT Development Index serves as a global benchmark, evaluating countries based on their progress in digital connectivity, access to communication technologies, and utilization of ICT services.
Minister Khawaja emphasized that stronger connectivity would unlock new opportunities for youth, freelancers, and businesses alike. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to broadening access to reliable and affordable digital services nationwide.
Notably, the minister highlighted that Pakistan’s enhanced ranking in the ITU ICT Development Index would send a positive message to international investors and technology firms, bolstering confidence in the expanding digital economy of the country.
