Islamabad — November 6, 2025: Telecom continues to serve as the foundation of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure, said Zaheer Mehdi, Group Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs at Jazz, during the 28th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad.
Addressing a policy dialogue titled “Telecom and the Digital Future of Pakistan: Artificial Intelligence, Connectivity, and the Frontiers of Development,” Mehdi emphasized that mobile broadband is Pakistan’s primary gateway to education, commerce, and civic participation. He noted that connectivity is no longer just infrastructure—it is opportunity, and that the next leap in digital transformation will be driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Mehdi revealed that Jazz is co-developing Pakistan’s first local-language large language model (LLM) in collaboration with academic partners and launching digital skills programs for youth. He said AI has the potential to revolutionize e-governance, education, healthcare, and business operations, but stressed the need for ethical AI adoption and robust data protection frameworks to ensure trust and inclusion.
Highlighting the challenges facing Pakistan’s digital growth, Mehdi cited affordability barriers, literacy gaps, and high taxation, as well as spectrum pricing linked to the US dollar and regulatory uncertainty. These issues, he said, “affect long-term investment and risk widening the digital divide.”
He outlined three key priorities for Pakistan’s digital progress:
- Bridging the usage gap to make access meaningful and affordable.
- Developing an ethical and secure AI governance framework suited to local needs.
- Strengthening institutional and human capabilities to remain competitive globally.
“The digital future will not arrive fully formed,” Mehdi concluded. “It is something we build together — through clarity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusion.”
