Pakistan has secured a major international recognition as Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawajawon the prestigious Industry Champion of the Year 2026award.
The honour was announced at The Fast Mode Awards 2026 on Tuesday, November 3, recognizing her contributions to Pakistan’s digital transformation and telecommunications sector.
The award is presented to only one industry leader worldwide each year.
Why Did Shaza Fatima Win the Global Award?
The competition attracted more than 500 company nominations from over 60 countries.
According to the Ministry of Information Technology, Pakistan’s expanding digital economy and technology reforms contributed to the recognition.
The country’s IT and IT-enabled services exports reached a record $4.6 billion during fiscal year 2025-26.
The sector also recorded a trade surplus of approximately $3.9 billion.
Pakistan’s Freelance Economy Breaks Records
Pakistan’s freelance export earnings climbed to $1.76 billion, while its freelancer workforce exceeded 2.37 million.
Meanwhile, the DigiSkills programme recorded more than 4.5 million training enrolments, including over 800,000 women.
5G Expansion Strengthens Pakistan’s Digital Future
Pakistan completed its largest 5G spectrum auction in March 2026, increasing total spectrum allocation to approximately 750MHz.
The government also abolished right-of-way charges for fibre-optic expansion.
In August, Google opened its first office in Pakistan, while a Chromebook assembly initiative added new manufacturing capacity.
Pakistan Gains International Recognition
Pakistan improved its ranking by 27 places in the International Telecommunication Union’s ICT Development Index 2026.
The ministry also highlighted progress in reducing the gender gap in mobile internet usage.
The latest award brings international attention to Pakistan’s technology ambitions and expanding digital workforce.
