Experts from government bodies, academia, media, technology sectors, civil society, and development organizations convened on Thursday to urge coordinated national efforts to establish a trusted, inclusive, and democratic digital ecosystem. Their goal is to promote responsible innovation, protect fundamental rights, and reinforce information integrity.
The call was made during the “Pakistan Digital Democracy Dialogue 2026,” organized by Freedom Gate Prosperity (FGP) in partnership with Accountability Lab and DDI South Asia. The event’s theme was “Digital Pakistan for All: Trust, Rights and Responsible Innovation.” This dialogue gathered policymakers, academics, technology specialists, journalists, and civil society representatives to deliberate on issues such as information integrity, digital civic space, artificial intelligence (AI), digital governance, and inclusive digital transformation in Pakistan.
Murtaza Solangi, spokesperson to the President of Pakistan, highlighted how digital platforms have revolutionized information access but also accelerated misinformation and societal polarization. He emphasized that reinforcing democratic resilience requires credible institutions, responsible journalism, informed citizens, and ongoing dialogue among stakeholders.
Brigadier Dr. Muhammad Mukarram Khan, Director General of the Cyber Vigilance Division at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), stressed that digital trust and cybersecurity are vital components of national resilience. He called for strengthening institutional capacities to combat cyber threats, online fraud, identity theft, and other emerging digital risks, while ensuring technological progress remains secure, rights-based, and centered on citizens.
Dr. Yasar Ayaz, Chairman of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI), noted AI’s vast potential to enhance governance, healthcare, education, and economic productivity. He advocated for increased investment in indigenous AI research, ethical governance frameworks, and human capital development to guarantee inclusive, transparent, and socially beneficial technological advancement.
Muhammad Anwar, CEO of Freedom Gate Prosperity, stated that Pakistan’s digital future hinges on safeguarding citizens’ rights alongside fostering responsible digital citizenship, ethical innovation, and shared accountability. Meanwhile, Sharjeel Murtaza, Chief Digital Officer at Karandaaz Pakistan, highlighted digital public infrastructure’s role in improving service delivery and expanding financial inclusion, especially for underserved populations.
Farhat Javed Rabani, Eye Investigations correspondent, underscored the significance of ethical journalism, investigative reporting, and media literacy in combating misinformation and preserving public trust. FGP board member Urooj Raza Sayyami remarked that digital transformation should ultimately enhance democratic participation, public trust, and citizen empowerment.
Sidra Jalil, Founder of InspireMill and President of OPEN Islamabad, emphasized empowering entrepreneurs, innovators, and women leaders by bolstering support for startups, digital skill development, and innovation ecosystems as crucial for Pakistan’s digital future.
The dialogue’s second session, titled “Inclusive Digital Transformation, AI and GovTech,” concentrated on accelerating responsible digital innovation while ensuring equitable access to technology and public services. Chaired by Dr. Saad S Khan, Additional Secretary at the Revenue Division of the Ministry of Finance, the session stressed that successful digital transformation depends on institutional coordination, coherent regulations, and citizen-focused governance. He pointed out that collaboration among government, academia, industry, and civil society is essential to harness emerging technologies for transparent, efficient, and inclusive public service delivery.
Ali Asghar, Chairman of the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), emphasized digital literacy as a cornerstone of inclusive development, noting that technology can only drive progress if citizens have the skills to use it safely and responsibly. Raza Ali Shah, CEO of Peace and Justice Network, advocated that digital inclusion should promote social cohesion, civic engagement, and responsible online conduct.
Ali Imran, representing Accountability Lab, reiterated the organization’s dedication to advancing democratic values, accountable governance, and citizen participation through technology. He stressed that sustainable digital transformation must be grounded in transparency, inclusion, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Additional contributions from experts in digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy highlighted the importance of ethical AI, citizen-centric digital services, enhanced institutional coordination, and ongoing investment in digital skills development.
In conclusion, Shafqat Aziz, strategic policy adviser at FGP, presented recommendations derived from the discussions. These included creating a multi-stakeholder framework on information integrity, accelerating digital transformation, establishing responsible AI governance, strengthening digital rights protections, enhancing cyber safety, promoting digital literacy, and fostering closer collaboration among government, academia, and industry to shape Pakistan’s digital future.
