Pakistan is urged to implement market-oriented data reforms and accelerate digital infrastructure development to advance its “Digital Pakistan” initiative, mirroring China’s digital strategy.

Zafar Iqbal, Vice President of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), emphasized this during a think tank meeting at the PCJCCI Secretariat.

According to Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry information today, Iqbal highlighted China’s recent plan to enhance digital development, aiming for significant progress by 2025. He suggested Pakistan could benefit from China’s model, which offers insights into developing data-related institutions, integrating and utilizing data resources, and fostering a digital economy and society.

Iqbal advocated for establishing a data property rights system, promoting compliant data trading, and developing security governance for data management. He urged Pakistan to focus on data security technologies, industry transformation, and international cooperation in the digital economy. He noted China’s guidelines for expanding data element applications and fostering new industries, emphasizing the importance of leveraging data for economic growth.