ISLAMABAD: Access to digital spaces and uninterrupted internet should also be fundamental rights alongside the existing right to information of citizens, human rights activist and former senator Farhatullah Babar said on Friday.

He was delivering a keynote address at ‘The Digital Dialogue’, a summit on public interest media, technology and digital citizenship organised by Freedom Network in Islamabad, says a press release.

The summit brought together over 50 experts and practitioners from the fields of digital journalism, the tech sector, academia and civil society to talk about solutions for shaping Pakistan’s digital future.

A new annual report on digitisation trends in the country was launched at the event.

Mr Babar urged the participants to take the conversation to the relevant parliamentary committees to explain to them the pitfalls and best practices of internet governance.

“We must broaden the discussion on a legal framework for digital rights,” he said, adding that, “all must be included in this dialogue”.

Executive Director of Freedom Network Iqbal Khattak said the summit was intended to provide a collaborative forum for voices that were ignored in media and internet policy.

“The summit aims to foster dialogue on the challenges and opportunities for Pakistan’s digital media and tech sectors,” he said, adding that “we are meeting at a time when equitable access and progressive policies are needed to help Pakistan prepare for its digital future”.

The summit also saw the launch of the Pakistan Digital Transformation Report 2024, published by Freedom Network and Ideas for Development, Research and Change (IDRAC).

The report provides a review of the progress of digitalisation across sectors and domains in the country. It includes a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan’s digital transformation journey and the setbacks that affected optimal progress.

While, introducing the report’s findings, media development expert Adnan Rehmat, author of the report, said Pakistan is one of the world’s 10 most digitalised societies in terms of the number of people having access to internet and social media users.

“Pakistan has a stated policy of aiding and fast-tracking digitalisation of democracy, governance, economy and social development,” he said.

“The country’s journey towards deep and irreversible digital transformation has been gaining momentum in recent years.” Mr Rehmat said some of the key achievements related to digital transformation have been economic growth and innovation.

“The increasing digitalisation of government departments and online government services for citizens and the IT-enabled services sector have exhibited tremendous potential to improve governance; drive economic growth, foster innovation and improve the quality of life through digital transformation,” he said.

The key challenges during the year such as the still-limited infrastructure and inadequate investments that are preventing the realisation of the promise of a digital society.

According to the report, achievements with overall positive impact included the domains of digital policies; digital governance systems by various governments; digital justice; AI and space tech.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2024