Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized the importance of a robust digital infrastructure, including connectivity, data centers, firewall protection, and smart governance, as crucial for Pakistan’s economic growth and global competitiveness. He articulated these views during a meeting with a delegation from Huawei Pakistan, led by CEO Ethan Sun.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the discussions focused on establishing Islamabad as a model smart city and initiating several projects that align with Pakistan’s Digital Economy Strategy. The minister highlighted the role of digital advancements in sustaining economic progress and proposed the creation of an Innovation Center at UET Narowal, with Huawei as a potential technology partner.

The meeting also explored the integration of these initiatives into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Phase II project list. Both parties discussed the significant potential for Pakistan in the digital economy sector, with further talks on establishing a Huawei manufacturing setup in Pakistan to create jobs and reduce smartphone prices.

Ethan Sun expressed Huawei’s enthusiasm for these partnerships, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering technological innovation and economic growth in Pakistan.