The Digitization Score of Pakistan Compared to Finland
When compared to the other Nordic countries, Pakistan has fallen behind its regional peers in Digitization. Internet users increased on average by 15% over the past five years and are predicted to reach 80 million by 2020. This surge is largely due to the rapid growth of the young urban middle class in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. For example, Islamabad has 25% more twitter users than Baluchistan. In Pakistan, internet users are unevenly distributed, with some provinces having far fewer internet users than others.
Despite these challenges, the study has highlighted the opportunities and obstacles for Pakistani computerization. While there are many barriers to adoption, the government and the private sector are working together to solve them. For example, incentives for computerization programs are available from the government, and the private sector is increasingly investing in computerizing its organizations. This trend indicates a bright future for the IT sector in Pakistan. And, since IT adoption has become so widespread and affordable in Pakistan, it will likely continue to grow.
The lack of digital literacy is another hindrance to Pakistan’s success. While Pakistan ranks low in the ICT sector, it has increased its GER for primary school students. As a result, the country is falling behind Finland when it comes to the digital divide. The GER for primary education has gone up from PIHS by 15 percentage points. However, the lack of computer literacy is a deterrent to foreign investment, and is not something to ignore.
Despite its strong growth potential, Pakistan has lagging computerization and is at a crossroads in the IT world. A poor digital literacy score will only complicate matters and hinder the country’s economic growth and foreign investment. In addition, the country’s economy is not as advanced as Finland. It may be better to have a better ICT infrastructure and a more educated population, but it will still fall short when compared to Finland.
It is noteworthy that Pakistan scores poorly in the digitalization of its economy. The country lacks legal and physical infrastructures for computerization. It has a low number of good IT professionals, and IT organizations are hardly aligned. It is a major problem for Pakistan to be behind its neighbours in the digital divide. The poor score also hinders foreign investments. Nevertheless, in general, the country is a good investment destination.
In this comparison, Pakistan’s ICT score is far lower than that of Finland. In contrast, Finland has a much higher level of computerization than the United States. In Pakistan, the GER for primary school has increased by 15 percentage points from PIHS. Further, the GER for secondary school has increased by 15 points. The disparity in computerization between countries is significant. In the long run, the country’s citizens will benefit from the benefits of IT.
The country has a very low digitalization score when compared to Finland. Its infrastructure is not developed and IT professionals are scarce. While the technology is growing, IT organizations aren’t fully aligned. The government needs to help the private sector adopt the technology. This will help it stay ahead of the game and improve the economy. With this, Pakistan can compete with Finland and gain a competitive edge.
Although Pakistan’s IT policies have been drafted for the public’s benefit, it is important to remember that the country is not yet computerized enough to compete with the Nordic countries. To achieve the national title of computerization, the government must first purchase hardware and software, and then purchase the necessary infrastructure. In addition to purchasing hardware and software, it must also spend a lot of money on education. A broader understanding of the digital divide will help the government decide on the most effective approach to address it.
The country’s ICT infrastructure is lacking. There are no good quality IT institutes in Pakistan. Further, there are no modern IT curricula in place. There are no IT graduates that meet organizational requirements, and there is little government supervision. Despite these issues, the government is making efforts to increase digitalization in the country. Aiming for the digital future of Pakistan, the government is encouraging the private sector’s investment in computerization.
Technology Usage of the Population in Pakistan
A report commissioned by the World Economic Forum examines the use of ICTs in the Pakistan flood response. It identifies the key challenges facing the humanitarian community in Pakistan and the potential for improved use of ICT tools and services. In the past, few disasters affected the lives of so many people, and Pakistan’s floods in September 2017 were one of the largest operations in recent history. While the role of ICTs in such operations has been known for some time, progress has been slow and it is unclear if the country is fully reaping its potential.
Despite the widespread use of the internet in Pakistan, the prevalence of internet use is quite low. Only 30pc of 15-to-65 year-olds in Pakistan have access to the internet. While 17pc cite lack of awareness as a reason for not using the internet, this figure is much higher than that of peer countries in Asia. Nonetheless, the use of digital technology in Pakistan is growing in the country.
The number of Pakistani Internet users has risen in recent years. The number of cellular subscribers is now over 150 million. A survey by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority found that only 17pc of the population has access to the internet, and only 25pc has a smart phone. While this is still quite a small sample, it is important to keep in mind that this trend will continue to grow as the country becomes more prosperous and modern.
The Pakistani population has an expanding digital footprint. Millions of new citizens join the ranks every year. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, more than 35 percent of the population owns a smartphone. Those who own more than one phone are considered smartphone owners. Another study by the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey showed that 21.9% of urban households had an internet connection while 4.9% of rural households did. Clearly, the amount of internet access is increasing in the country.
The numbers of mobile connections in Pakistan are impressive. In fact, 77.7% of the population now has at least one mobile device, and many more have several. This means that Pakistan’s population is very digital. A growing number of users has access to various online resources. For instance, the Internet is a crucial part of daily life for most people. It has become necessary to have a phone to stay connected to the world.
The use of smartphones in health care is increasing. The country has over 35 million Facebook users and 3.5 million Twitter users. The social media platforms have become news sources in Pakistan through citizen journalism. Popular journalists in the country are actively involved in social media and have their own accounts on Twitter. Other TV channels have also teamed up with mobile telephony companies to offer cheap data packages. But the need to unify the system is very high.
The government of Pakistan has taken steps to make the health care system more effective and efficient. The government has made the process more transparent and user-friendly by making available online health records, allowing for easy tracking of disease, and providing patient information to doctors and healthcare providers. While there are challenges with the use of digital technology, this technology is widely accepted and increasingly used in Pakistan. The country’s population’s adoption of new technologies is rapidly increasing, and it’s becoming important to have an overview of the current health status of the country’s population.
In addition to the health industry, digital technology in the country has increased. In Pakistan, over 62 million people are connected to mobile data, and 64 million of these users are online. As a result, they are accustomed to using digital tools and services, and they are increasingly expecting their government to provide them with better services. The Punjab government’s public management reform program, launched in January 2017, aims to improve the quality of life for its population and improve public employees’ performance.
The government of Pakistan has made efforts to make the country more accessible and digitally savvy. A universal service fund has been set up to extend fiber-optic connectivity to the unserved areas of the country. In 2017, the government spent 600 million rupees in two Sindh districts on digital infrastructure. To eliminate the digital divide, the government needs to invest billions of rupees in improving access to the internet and improving the quality of life of the population.
What Companies Are Spearheading the Digital Revolution in Pakistan?
As the fifth most populous country in the world, Pakistan is an attractive market for businesses interested in digital business. Its $170 billion retail market is booming, and a growing proportion of the population has access to the Internet. What companies are spearheading the digital revolution in Pakistan? There are several leading tech companies with a strong presence in Pakistan. Let’s look at some of them.
Jazz is one such company. The mobile network operator in Pakistan is planning to launch a cloud-computing platform and a services environment platform to support future 5G readiness. Its new cloud communications platform is expected to help businesses with their mobile connectivity needs. It will also help the country’s digital transformation efforts by building and deploying full-scale services environments on the company’s premises. While the technology is still in its early stages, it is already a major force in the local economy.
The biggest mobile network operator, Jazz, is a leading global cloud communications provider. It has recently formed a strategic partnership with Infobip, a leading cloud communications provider. Together, they will launch Pakistan’s first CPaaS service and an omnichannel services platform. Using these technologies, the company is reshaping the landscape of Pakistan’s telecommunications industry in preparation for the next generation of mobile communication.
Another company that has successfully raised money from international investors is Bazaar, which is a business-to-business marketplace for merchants in Pakistan. The company has secured $30 million in a Series A round, which is one of the largest ever in Pakistan. The investment was led by Silicon Valley’s Defy Partners and Singapore’s Wavemaker Partners. With the backing of these two tech giants, Bazaar has become the leader in the digital revolution in Pakistan.
NayaPay is another fintech company in Pakistan. It recently received its first E-Money Institution license from the State Bank of Pakistan. Its goal is to make financial services simpler for millions of people in the country, while also being a pioneer in the digitization of the country. Its products are aimed at underbanked groups and offer two-sided platforms for their merchants.
Bazaar’s business-to-business marketplace is a popular choice among entrepreneurs. Its business-to-business marketplace allows businesses to list their inventory at a standard price. Its live marketplaces are available all over Pakistan, making it the most convenient way to conduct digital business in the country. Its online store, Easy Khata, and ARY Digital Network are also leading companies in the digital space in the country.
Bazaar’s business-to-business marketplace gives businesses the opportunity to sell their products online. Its business-to-business marketplace allows small- and medium-sized businesses to sell their inventory to large corporations. In addition to providing a larger catalog, Easy Khata is a digital marketplace that is live in Pakistan. It has become an important part of the Pakistani economy, and the companies it partners with are spearheads of the digital business scene in the country.
Robotization and Emerging Technology in Pakistan
The National Centre for Robotics and Automation (NCRA) is a consortia of 11 labs in 13 universities of Pakistan with its headquarter at NUST College of E&ME. The center will serve as a leading technological hub by managing highly skilled researchers and experts. It will also facilitate and generate resources for research and development, and will ensure that the results of the research and development work towards achieving the country’s Vision.
STEMERS is a government-sponsored initiative to improve education in STEM fields and produce a new generation of tech-savvy leaders for Pakistan. It provides basic, intermediate, and advanced STEM courses, allowing students to develop robotic applications and create games. The university has also partnered with the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DTI) to help young people learn cutting-edge robotics and 3D printing. The country is actively pursuing research in robotics by hosting major robot competitions such as Robosprint and the National Engineering and Manufacturing Competition.
The country’s government has encouraged universities to focus on robotics as a part of their final-year projects. In 2014-2016, the National ICT R&D Fund approved 61 robotics projects. The NGI program, which funds entrepreneurship and research, has a budget of Rs.5.3 million. Many of these projects will turn into sustainable startups. With the help of a mentor, the products developed by students can be taken to the next level. Once a viable business is built, students can also seek investors and a broader audience.
STEMERS is another initiative aimed at providing STEM education in Pakistan. The goal is to develop future tech-savvy leaders who are capable of incorporating STEM into their daily lives. It includes basic, intermediate, and advanced courses in robotics and engineering. The students can learn new cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D printing, computer graphics, and game development. The students can also participate in a number of major competitions, including the National Engineering and Robotics Competition (NERC) and Robosprint.
The government can play a crucial role in advancing the development of socially valuable robots. Through the CASE program, it can help small businesses understand and benefit from opportunities in robotics. It can also promote research and develop data useful to robotics and provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in robotics. Further, it can promote the growth of SMEs and encourage innovation in the country. It also helps to strengthen digital connectivity in Pakistan.
AI is becoming a popular trend, and the future of robotics is not far off. A robotic guide dog is an example of an AI robot that is already in use in many cities. A guide dog can guide a blind person to a safe route, and even program the robot’s actions. However, the development of AI in Pakistan is largely reliant on the success of the Loughborough program.
In addition to artificial intelligence, robots and other robotics-related software are making their way to Pakistan. While it may seem futuristic, Pakistan is not a world-leader in this field. In fact, it is a developing nation that has a lot of room for growth in this area. It is also crucial to invest in human-made and robot-made robotic systems. Fortunately, the country has a growing number of companies that are already embracing AI.
In Pakistan, the advancement of artificial intelligence is a big opportunity for businesses in the country. In Pakistan, a Loughborough University student designed a robotic guide dog to simulate the tasks of a seeing-eye dog, while a Cambridge University professor developed an algorithm that can learn and interpret complex data. The robot is currently being tested and a pilot program is underway in the United Kingdom. This is a great sign of the future of robotics in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the latest trend in technology is in the development of artificial intelligence software. It is being widely used by robots and computer programs. One of these robots, Dante, has been developed by a Pakistani tech firm called baseH. It is a programmed guide dog and has already written closing reports for the Pakistan Stock Exchange. It is expected to write small news reports in the future, retrieving data from international and local media outlets.
The Service and High Tech Industry As Part of the Economy in Pakistan
At independence, the Pakistani economy was dominated by agriculture, but the country has since become considerably more diversified. Today, manufacturing makes up around one fifth of GDP, and trade and services account for the rest. Overall, Pakistan’s economy is comparable to that of middle-income countries in Southeast and East Asia. The country’s average annual growth rate has been relatively consistent since independence. Despite the country’s low levels of investment and innovation, it remains an attractive place to do business.
The potential of the country’s technology industry is enormous. For example, Pakistan recently began manufacturing Ebook readers, notebooks, and Tablet PCs in collaboration with INNAVTEK of China. The country also has vast potential for software development, which is already being exploited through government projects. Moreover, the service and high tech industries are growing rapidly, making it the best time for Pakistan to embrace these emerging sectors.
While Pakistan is developing its service and high-tech industries, its garment industry is slow to develop. While there are some large companies that manufacture clothing and other products, they are often limited by low-tech equipment. A significant portion of the country’s GDP is made up of state-owned enterprises. The country has adapted to several different economic models and has experienced mixed economic growth. Initially, the economy in Pakistan was based on private enterprise, but this changed as the 1970s approached. Then, under Zia ul-Haq, significant sectors of the economy were nationalized. During the 1980s, the “Islamic” economy was implemented to ban practices that were incompatible with Shari’ah, and to mandate traditional religious practices.
While the Islamic economy is still in place, portions of it have been privatized. In the 1990s, the state started privatizing large parts of the nationalized economy. In addition, the service and high tech industries are growing at a faster pace than the manufacturing sector. As a result, the country’s population is steadily increasing. Moreover, the government has banned export of cement and gold in order to reduce prices.
Moreover, the country’s growth rate has been steady over the last few decades. While the economy has experienced a slow rate of growth, the average per capita income in Pakistan has increased by more than two percent in FY21. In contrast, the population’s absolute poverty rate is extremely high – a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. Despite this, relative prosperity in the industrialized areas of the country’s cities and suburbs stands in stark contrast with the semi-arid regions and arid districts.
Increasing strategic competition between emerging countries has negative implications for multilateral efforts. It has the potential to fragment regulatory efforts. This could impede progress toward achieving the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The global economy is increasingly focusing on the service and high tech industry as a part of the economy. In 2013, the number of jobs in the US and Australia’s digital infrastructure will grow by 22 percent.
There are a variety of types of technological services in Pakistan. These include cable and Internet providers, telecommunications firms, and the building and running of the National Broadband Network. While these industries are growing rapidly, the growth is uneven in the different segments. They have a large impact on the economy and are the largest employer of all in the country. But the services industry is still a large proportion of the country’s GDP.
While service and high tech are important, a more central position and more routes to the global market show a larger number of highly competitive firms. This is beneficial because it allows Pakistan to participate in international trade and markets. These firms can contribute to the GDP of its home country. A more competitive economy is more connected to the world. It’s more connected to the world. If the economy is highly dependent on these sectors, Pakistan’s GDP will increase.
References:
Macro Pakistani: https://macropakistani.com/digital-divide-in-pakistan
Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2338467/pakistan-rapidly-adopting-digitalisation
Datareportal: https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-pakistan
Science: https://www.science.org/content/article/science-and-technology-pakistan-way-forward
South Asia Institute: https://mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/2020/09/8-challenges-pakistans-digital-transformation-journey/