URUMQI: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has introduced a comprehensive digital roadmap to transform Pakistan into a $1 trillion economy by 2035. Speaking at the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Digital Economy Forum, Iqbal highlighted significant strides in digital connectivity, including a user base exceeding 150 million and a 25 percent increase in data consumption over the past two years.

According to Press Information Department, the roadmap, part of the national vision “Uraan Pakistan,” emphasizes a shift from traditional IT services to global product innovation. The Minister revealed plans for a massive broadband expansion, aiming to extend fiber-optic connections from 3 million to over 5 million, and eventually reaching 10 million households with high-speed wired broadband.

Pakistan’s technology sector has seen record growth, with IT and ICT exports reaching $4.6 billion in the last fiscal year. Minister Iqbal stated that the country is focusing on developing proprietary tech products, digital platforms, and tech-driven manufacturing, positioning the digital economy as a key driver of economic transformation.

In efforts to ensure equitable progress, the Minister noted advancements in female mobile internet usage, which jumped from 33 percent to 45 percent, significantly narrowing the digital gender gap from 35 percent to 8 percent. Iqbal asserted the importance of inclusive tech policies for sustainable development.

Iqbal also called for regional cooperation among SCO member states to establish interconnected tech corridors, enhance trade, and develop sovereign AI capabilities. Proposals included seamless cross-border e-commerce systems, integrated digital payment frameworks, and joint research initiatives in AI. These efforts are part of the Uraan Pakistan 2035 framework, which prioritizes digital economy initiatives to drive industrial advancement and attract foreign direct investment.