Shahzad Lodhi
WHEN compared to some of the most developed and advanced countries in the world, Pakistan has fared well to prevent mass level devastation by COVID-19 pandemic. According to our Ministry of Health and other local medical bodies, COVID-19 cases are under control, however, reopening of the schools may trigger a second wave of the global virus. This fear of a second wave is keeping all frontline healthcare workers, along with other national stakeholders, on their toes.
Amongst the lessons learnt from this pandemic, the significance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been justifiably acknowledged for keeping everyone connected whether it is for managing work from home culture or for business continuity and online education. Everyone recognizes the importance of being digitally savvy whether tech-based service providers, business facilitators or consumers. Our need to stay connected 24/7, connectivity on the go, being able to shop online even groceries, online healthcare or educational facilities, flexible working, etc has become the new norm now. Thus, there is a dire need to accelerate the digitization efforts in Pakistan.
Smart lockdowns, vigorous practicing of the COVID-19 safety measures and quick decision-making based on real time data is the major reason for the success of Pakistan for faring better than most developed countries during this pandemic. Even countries like the US, India and France were overwhelmed by the pandemic, not only due to increasing number of coronavirus cases, but these countries were also adversely impacted financially and socially. Government of Pakistan displayed sound judgement as it executed its strategy that was overall inclusive in its vision. This was possible due to an extensive awareness campaign on required safety measures that was extensively executed by media houses, telecom industry, corporate sector and the local government administrations, especially the healthcare workers.
Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Pakistan was already on the roll before the pandemic hit the world canvas and many ICT companies like PTCL, that adopted digitalization strategy to move forward, played a strategic role to keep the country connected during tough times. Foreseeing an increase in internet demand, the national carrier was quick to collaborate with global players like Nokia and Huawei to enhance their service infrastructures to ensure that Pakistan stay connected with the world and people transition into the new normal in a seamless manner.
In these trying times, the major telecom players realized that the situation now demands better network coverage and increase in internet speed due to burden on the digital medium usage. Almost all the telecom players in Pakistan namely Ufone, Telenor, Mobilink and Zong realized that the pandemic has given them an opportunity to bolster their sector and build a secure digital ecosystem for serving their customers increased appetite for a digital lifestyle. It is imperative that the industry meets the consumer demands and they must work to enhance connectivity, improve their infrastructure and investment in innovative solutions to promote digitization in the country. Not only that, the government has to give opportunities to the ICT sector with ease of doing business to improve imports and support tech entrepreneurship that will generate jobs for the youth in Pakistan and also build their digital skills to compete in the international markets.
Our telecom and ICT sectors have huge potential that needs to be realized now more than ever as we need a Digital Pakistan. Being connected to the world empowers a nation making them learn, be more inclusive and have a broader perspective. It has been proven again and again that digitization brings economic benefits and social uplift to a nation. It can open doors to the students to learn from the safety of their homes, businesses can be more profitable if they go digital and life will become easier to the less privileged as they get economic opportunities that were not available before.
It goes without saying that small and medium businesses will also be reaping benefits as cost of doing business lessens when you have cost effective solutions to support you. There is a dire need that our government strategically collaborates with ICT service providers under a comprehensive National Development Plan to develop a way forward for maximum social inclusion, highest returns on investment and one single mission to enable our country to truly transform into Digital Pakistan.
—The writer is a media consultant based in Islamabad.
