Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and in line with his Digital Nation Pakistan Vision that prioritizes inclusivity and equitable digital access, Pakistan has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in bridging the digital gender divide.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has played a pivotal role in driving forward key initiatives that have now been recognized globally in the newly launched GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025.
According to the report, approximately 8 million women in Pakistan gained access to mobile internet in 2024, contributing to a significant narrowing of the mobile internet gender gap from 38% to 25% — the first notable reduction since 2021. Women’s mobile internet usage increased from 33% in 2023 to 45% in 2024 — a 12 percentage point rise, the highest among all countries surveyed. The surge was led by rural women, showcasing the impact of targeted outreach and inclusion programs.
In total, around 13 million Pakistanis (8 million women and 5 million men) started using mobile internet in 2024, reflecting the success of the government's digital empowerment strategy.
“This progress is the result of a clear vision at the top and coordinated implementation across institutions,”said Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja “Our Ministry remains committed to ensuring that no one — especially women — is left behind in Pakistan’s digital transformation.”
Pakistan’s success is highlighted on pages 38–39 of the report, available here:
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The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) acknowledges the valuable contributions of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), mobile operators, and development partners in making this progress possible.
This achievement underscores Pakistan’s commitment to gender equality, digital inclusion, and socio-economic development through technology, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision for a truly Digital Pakistan.
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