On 20 November in Bishkek, Pakistan’s Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja participated in the CAREC 24th ministerial conference and held bilateral talks to promote Digital Cooperation across the region. In a meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s minister of digital development she outlined Pakistan’s position on regional digital connectivity and investment opportunities, offering bandwidth through the Karachi and Gwadar submarine cables and exploring shared fiber connectivity routes under the CAREC framework.
The two sides discussed a proposal to establish a joint technical connectivity group to coordinate fiber planning and implementation. They also agreed to expand joint training in software, cloud services and cybersecurity, and to launch a Pak-Kyrgyz Startup Bridge to foster collaboration through joint hackathons, exchange programmes and startup partnerships. These measures aim to create practical pathways for technology exchange and capacity building while strengthening Digital Cooperation between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
During a separate meeting with Uzbekistan’s minister of investment, industry and trade, the federal minister advanced plans for a Pakistan–Uzbekistan fiber link under the CAREC digital corridor. Both countries agreed to pursue affordable bandwidth solutions, develop data centre capacity and increase regional digital trade flows. Discussions covered joint venture models in software, fintech and e-commerce and proposed outsourcing models based on English and Russian language services to tap broader markets.
Agreements were reached to promote startup collaboration between Pakistan’s National Incubation Centres and Uzbek IT parks, and to deepen cooperation on cybersecurity, digital policy and a shared regulatory framework. These steps reflect Pakistan’s intent to leverage infrastructure offers and capacity-building initiatives to accelerate Digital Cooperation and unlock commercial and strategic opportunities across Central Asia.
