Pakistan and Egypt are set to enhance cooperation in digital technologies, following a high-level meeting between Ambassador of Egypt to Pakistan, Dr. Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, and Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, in Islamabad. The meeting aimed to explore mutual interests and potential synergies in emerging digital sectors, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, 5G, fintech, and submarine cable infrastructure.
During the exchange, both representatives reiterated the importance of international collaboration in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Ambassador Dr. Hassan voiced Egypt’s keen interest in building strategic partnerships with Pakistan in areas that are becoming critical to national resilience and economic competitiveness. His engagement underlined Egypt’s recognition of Pakistan’s growing capabilities and innovations in digital governance and telecom infrastructure.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja welcomed the interest and emphasized the shared digital aspirations of the two countries. She noted that Pakistan has taken major steps in fostering cybersecurity expertise, with particular progress made through initiatives such as national hackathons. Highlighting the importance of regional inclusivity, she invited Egyptian students and professionals to take part in these cybersecurity events, promoting a collaborative learning environment between both nations.
The discussion also covered the deployment and expansion of 5G technology, with both sides acknowledging its transformative potential across industries. Pakistan and Egypt are actively working toward 5G readiness, and the minister underlined the scope for knowledge sharing, pilot projects, and public-private initiatives that could accelerate deployment and adoption.
Submarine cable connectivity emerged as another key area for joint efforts. Minister Shaza highlighted that Pakistan currently operates seven submarine cable systems, making it an important player in regional connectivity. She proposed cooperation in this area to boost mutual capabilities in international data transmission and enhance resilience across the digital infrastructure linking Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Education and skills development also formed an essential part of the dialogue. Proposals for bilateral workshops, scholarship programs, and technical training were discussed as both sides identified the need to build human capital that can support their national digital strategies. The inclusion of younger demographics in these programs was encouraged to ensure the sustainability of digital growth.
The minister acknowledged the strategic geographical importance of both nations. Pakistan, situated at the intersection of East and Central Asia, and Egypt, acting as a digital bridge to Africa and Europe, are well-positioned to leverage their locations for broader digital cooperation. The meeting created a foundation for new engagements between the governments, academic institutions, and private sectors of both countries in the coming years.
The discussion reflects a growing recognition of the role of diplomacy in shaping international digital ecosystems and showcases how partnerships rooted in shared development goals can lead to practical collaborations in cybersecurity, innovation, and infrastructure.
Source: LinkedIn
