Page 11 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2024)

Exclusive Interview

The initiative is structured around four key pillars of
World Economic Forum’s Digital FDI framework:
I must say that addressing the
• Digital Infrastructure
challenge of fake news requires a
• Digital Adoption
• New Digital Activities multi-faceted approach that
• Digital Services Exports involves governments, tech
The implementation of the Digital FDI Initiative marks a companies, media organizations,
transformative moment for Pakistan's digital landscape.
By fostering a robust digital infrastructure, encouraging civil society groups, and
the adoption of new technologies, and supporting
innovation, it aims to create a more investor-friendly individuals. It's an ongoing
environment.
struggle that demands constant
The Digital FDI Initiative is strategically designed to
attract global investors by fostering a supportive and vigilance, adaptation, and
innovation-friendly environment for technology - collaboration
driven investments. It aims to position Pakistan as a
leading digital economy by addressing core investor
concerns, such as infrastructure, policy clarity, and
talent availability. • Pakistan was ranked in Tier 1 (Role-Modelling) in the
2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI).
ICMA: How is the Ministry fostering local and global
collaboration to strengthen the digital economy? • Pakistan achieved a significant milestone last year
with Ignite’s NICs selected as ITU-backed Regional
IT Minister: Pakistan is actively pursuing local and global Digital Transformation Acceleration Centers.
collaborations to strengthen its digital economy by
• Pakistan has climbed/improved 14 ranks in the
engaging in bilateral and multilateral forums, nations,
and organizations to foster knowledge sharing, United Nations (UN) E-Government Development
technology transfer, and investment in the digital sector. Index (EGDI) for 2024.
These include, for example, our close collaboration with • Pakistan's IDI score improved significantly, rising to
China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Qatar, and 55.6 from 48.7 in 2023, advancing its global ranking
others. We are also actively participating in regional and by 5 positions in 2024.
international organizations such as ITU, DCO, SCO, ICMA: What are the strategies employed by Ministry
ICANN, MEDCI, IGF, and CTO, among others.
for countering fake news?
These collaborations focus on developing digital IT Minister: Fake news is a growing challenge not only in
infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and creating an
Pakistan but across the world in different countries.
enabling environment for tech startups and businesses. Though, the Ministry and other stakeholders have been
By fostering these partnerships, Pakistan aims to taking steps, including legislation, awareness, and
accelerate its digital transformation and integrate into
capacity-building sessions, to help address this
the global digital economy.
challenge. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act
We are also working closely with the World Bank Group (PECA) 2016 is the primary legislation that addresses the
on the Digital Economy Enhancement Projects, which growing menace of cybercrimes, including spreading
will provide the core engine for digital transformation false information online that could cause harm or incite
and result in truly uplifting the digital economy in violence. The recent amendments in PECA have
Pakistan. The Digital Economy Enhancement Project broadened its scope.
(DEEP) was approved to lay the rails for a national
I must say that addressing the challenge of fake news
digital transformation, significantly improving the
quality of life for citizens, providing digital access to requires a multi-faceted approach that involves
government services, and improving the ease of doing governments, tech companies, media organizations, civil
business standings of the country. DEEP will develop society groups, and individuals. It's an ongoing struggle that
digital government architecture and use a whole-of- demands constant vigilance, adaptation, and collaboration.
government approach for an inclusive digital The Editorial Board thanks Hon’ble Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja,
transformation. These efforts have resulted in an Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication
improved rank for Pakistan in various international for sparing from her precious time to give exclusive interview for
rankings, including: Chartered Management Accountant Journal.

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