Page 9 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2024)

Exclusive Interview

Additionally, it will empower the startup ecosystem and
enhance services such as telemedicine, online education, The deployment of 5G technology
and precision agriculture, fostering innovation and
economic growth. in Pakistan presents a
It will also enable Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to transformative opportunity to
significantly reduce radio network congestion in
existing 2G/3G/4G networks caused by limited revolutionize the country’s digital
spectrum availability by introducing new International
Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) radio bands. ecosystem by providing ultra-fast
Consequently, this will result in enhanced broadband
availability and speed, ensuring improved connectivity internet, reducing latency, and
across the country. bridging the digital divide
ICMA: How is the government enhancing
cybersecurity to protect against digital threats?
As a result of these initiatives, the overall cybersecurity
IT Minister: The Government of Pakistan has been
ecosystem in Pakistan has improved, leading to
taking several steps to enhance cybersecurity and Pakistan’s placement in the top tier (Tier-1 ‘Role
protect against digital threats. Cybersecurity is
Modeling’) of the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024.
embedded as a fundamental element in the overall
digital transformation of the Government of Pakistan, ICMA: What programs are being introduced to equip
ensuring that all digital transformation initiatives are youth with advanced digital skills?
aligned with robust security frameworks.
IT Minister: The Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) has
The Ministry has undertaken multiple initiatives to been actively involved in various initiatives and
enhance cybersecurity, including legislation, policies, collaborations to promote digital literacy through Ignite
rules, capacity building, and international collaborations. and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). Several
Furthermore, different sectoral regulators have also initiatives have been launched with the aim of bridging
introduced initiatives to strengthen cybersecurity the skills gap and ensuring that everyone has access to
ecosystems, such as PTA’s Critical Telecom Data and quality learning opportunities.
Infrastructure Security Regulations and the IT Security Our flagship DigiSkills initiative provides digital skills
Guidebook by the Pakistan Standards and Quality
training and has delivered over 4 million training
Control Authority (PSQCA).
sessions since its inception, contributing to poverty
Some of the key initiatives of the Ministry include the alleviation and financial inclusion.
National Cybersecurity Policy 2021, Computer Similarly, PSEB is working to ensure the sustainable
Emergency Response Team (CERT) Rules 2023, the
growth of Pakistan’s ICT industry and freelance sector,
constitution of the CERT Council, and the establishment with consistent year-over-year increases in remittance
of the National CERT, among others.
inflows. To this effect, we have undertaken several
We are actively pursuing international collaboration and initiatives to enhance both the quality and quantity of
domestic stakeholder engagement to continue the talent pool, offering IT professionals and young
strengthening the country’s cybersecurity posture. graduates opportunities to continuously improve their
skills. These efforts include:
The bill encourages the establishment of secure and
interoperable digital systems, such as digital identity • 6,100 IT graduates trained in high-demand
platforms and data exchange layers, to ensure that technologies to meet market needs.
sensitive information is protected while enabling • 6,000 ICT professionals trained and certified in the
seamless integration of digital services.
latest technologies, enhancing their value and
Pakistan’s Cloud First policy is another milestone aimed employability. A plan is in place to train an additional
at promoting cloud infrastructure within the public 3,300 candidates.
sector to enhance security and resilience against • 20,000 IT students (in their 6th semester or beyond)
potential cybersecurity incidents.
and recent graduates to be trained in emerging
Similarly, we have been conducting nationwide technologies, with 19,000 of them to be placed in
cybersecurity training programs and hackathons the IT industry.
through Ignite – the National Technology Fund. Last year Freelancer remittances have become an increasingly
alone, 22 cybersecurity awareness sessions for the
important part of Pakistan’s economy, reaching USD 504
general public were conducted in 16 cities across million in FY 2023-24 – an impressive 38.36% increase
Pakistan. Similarly, hackathons have been successfully
from USD 364.3 milion in the previous fiscal year.
held annually for the past four years.
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