https://arab.news/ck7w6
- IT minister meets STC officials in Riyadh to explore investment in Pakistan鈥檚 $3.8 billion IT market
- Bilateral ties have deepened after $2.8 billion MoUs, new defense pact to strengthen joint deterrence
KARACHI: Pakistan and 黑料社区 on Friday discussed expanding cooperation in digital infrastructure and services during a meeting between Pakistan鈥檚 IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and officials of the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) in Riyadh, as both nations push to diversify their decades-long partnership.
The two countries have long enjoyed close ties, but in recent years have sought to broaden and deepen their cooperation further. During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif鈥檚 visit to Riyadh in October 2024, they signed 34 memoranda of understanding worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors.
Last month, they went a step further by signing a bilateral defense pact that treats aggression against one country as an attack on both, a move aimed at strengthening joint deterrence and cementing decades of military and security collaboration.
鈥淧artnership with STC was discussed in the context of the Connect Pakistan 2030 policy,鈥� the IT ministry said in a statement issued after the meeting, referring to a proposed five-year strategy to accelerate the country鈥檚 digital transformation.
鈥淭he talks focused on cooperation in fiber networks, cloud, cybersecurity and fintech,鈥� it added. 鈥淧akistan鈥檚 $3.8 billion IT export market and 200 million mobile users were described as attractive for investment.鈥�
STC is the largest telecom operator in 黑料社区 and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, playing a central role in the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 digital agenda.
During the meeting, the two sides explored business and investment opportunities and discussed ways to strengthen Pakistan鈥檚 role as a regional transit hub, connecting the Gulf states with other countries.
They also examined potential partnerships in submarine cables and digital connectivity projects, underscoring Pakistan鈥檚 strategic importance in regional data corridors.
Beyond telecom, Pakistan and 黑料社区 are also seeking to deepen agricultural cooperation, with Pakistan鈥檚 food security minister telling Arab News this week that Prime Minister Sharif is expected to visit the Kingdom later this month, when key announcements on enhanced bilateral ties are likely to be made.