IT minister calls for full gender inclusion in Pakistan’s digital future

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has underscored that technological advancement and national progress are unattainable without full gender inclusion.

She highlighted the pivotal role played by the Universal Service Fund (USF) in promoting Pakistan’s IT industry by connecting remote regions to the digital world, thereby empowering women, startups, freelancers and social media influencers to access new opportunities and drive economic growth.

Speaking as chief guest at the event ‘Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation’ -- organised by the USF in collaboration with Jazz to mark International Girls in ICT Day 2025 -- Shaza Fatima noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has distributed 1.2 million laptops among young people during his various terms in office. Also, the Ministry of IT has trained 4.5 million individuals through its DG Skills online freelancing programme.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication; Parliamentary Secretary for IT and Telecom Sabeen Ghori; MNA Sharmila Faruqui; CEO of USF Ch Mudassar Naveed; CEO of Mobilink Microfinance Bank Haaris Mahmood; GSMA Country Lead Saira Faisal, and representatives from academia and prominent women entrepreneurs from the telecom and IT sectors.

In her address, Shaza Fatima shared her personal insights: “As a Pakistani woman, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of technology in a young woman’s life. Today is both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the journey still ahead.” She emphasised that over recent years, women’s empowerment in the tech space has shifted from aspiration to tangible action, with many top IT students being female and women-led tech ventures now making a mark on global platforms.

“Let us build a Pakistan where every girl can harness technology to realise her full potential -- where empowerment is not just a dream but a digital reality,” she said. She added that the Ministry has been working to build a supportive ecosystem for women in tech -- encompassing broadband expansion, safe online spaces, startup incubation and digital skills training -- all with inclusion at their core.

Detailing the achievements of the National Broadband Initiatives, Shaza Fatima noted that the USF has awarded 161 projects to date, deployed broadband in over 21,600 mauzas, and provided services to a population of 37.1 million. Over 4,400 telecom sites have been contracted, with more than 4,100 already operational. Fibre optic cable now spans 17,200 kilometres, connecting more than 1,000 towns and Union Councils that were previously underserved -- many of which are now witnessing women and girls accessing the internet for the first time to study, work and lead.

She further shared that Rs23 billion has been allocated by the prime minister this year to support USF’s work and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to placing inclusivity at the heart of its digital agenda. “We need each of you -- as mentors, investors, role models and allies -- to sustain and accelerate this momentum,” she said.