At UNSC, Pakistan calls for permanent ceasefire in Gaza, urgent humanitarian support to Palestinians

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Thursday emphasized the need for increased collaboration between local and international media organizations while addressing the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh.
The minister arrived in the Kingdom a day earlier to attend the gathering, which brings together over 200 leading media professionals, innovators and thought leaders from around the world. During his visit, he met with his Saudi counterpart, Salman Al-Dossary, and both agreed to form a joint committee to produce songs, films and documentaries.
In his remarks at the forum, Tarar highlighted his government’s focus on developing a “vibrant media which has all aspects covered as far as the digital domain is concerned,” adding that the goal would only be achievable through enhanced collaboration between foreign and local outlets.
“I think it’s collaborations and cooperation which make the world go round,” he said. “Living in one country and not being able to communicate or collaborate would just bring things to a grinding halt because eventually your market begins to saturate.”

“So there’s always room for growth,” he continued. “There’s always room for development. And there’s always room for improvement.”
When the moderator mentioned the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), the parent company of Arab News, Tarar acknowledged its “positive impact” on Pakistani society.
“With regard to SRMG, we have Urdu News, we have Arab News [and] we have Independent Urdu, which are doing a great job,” he said. “And [this is] not only [as] digital platforms, but overall, they have a very positive impact on our society with regard to raising awareness on social issues, with regard to bringing news to the people.”
The minister further emphasized the need for improved collaborations, saying, “I believe collaborations need to be improved further because you see the local media needs skill development, the local media needs more growth.”
Tarar noted that Pakistan has tremendous potential, but the local media requires capacity enhancement through greater collaborations with foreign news outlets.
“I believe that hand holding can bring a paradigm change in the local media organizations,” he added.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and economic allies. In October last year, both countries signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion.
Pakistani dramas and films have also been dubbed and broadcast in Saudi Arabia, including classics like “Dhoop Kinare” and the highly popular TV production “Humsafar.”

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad will host the ‘first-ever’ Digital FDI Summit in Islamabad in April this year, the press information department said this week, as the country aims to boost foreign direct investment by promoting a digitally friendly business climate and increasing investor interest and activity in the country.

Pakistan this year became the first country to adopt the joint Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Initiative by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The project is structured around four pillars adopted from its Digital FDI framework, digital infrastructure, digital adoption, new digital activities and digital services exports – each targeting areas for growth considered essential for attracting sustained digital FDI in Pakistan.

Cash-strapped Pakistan, currently under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout program and navigating a tricky path to recovery, is seeking to attract foreign investment in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy. The South Asian nation narrowly avoided defaulting on its financial obligations in 2023 and 2024 with assistance from the IMF. 

“Pakistan will host the first-ever Digital FDI Summit in Islamabad on April 29-30, 2025,” the press information department said in a statement after IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja addressed the Digital Cooperation Organization General Assembly in Amman, Jordan.

“This event will bring together global investors, policymakers, and technology leaders to explore Pakistan’s growing digital economy and investment opportunities.”

Khawaja extended a formal invitation to international stakeholders, urging them to participate in the “landmark event and collaborate on shaping the future of digital investment.”

“She also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to digital transformation, positioning the country as a premier destination for foreign direct investment in the tech sector,” the statement added. 

The digital FDI initiative, set to launch in April 2025, will be piloted in Pakistan and expanded globally to help countries develop policy frameworks and investment strategies for the digital economy. 

Pakistan has seen 27 percent annual growth in the tech sector and recently introduced the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, a comprehensive framework designed to digitize the economy, governance, and society. In December, the government announced it would set up a National Digital Commission headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to oversee the development of digital infrastructure and launch a comprehensive five-year action plan to tackle digital challenges and promote technological investment in Pakistan.

“Khawaja underscored the government’s commitment to creating a digital-first economy, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif personally leading the National Digital Commission to drive the initiative forward,” the statement added.

“A key component of this transformation is the development of Pakistan Stack, a national digital infrastructure aimed at establishing digital identities, streamlining governance, and fostering a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital ecosystem.”