ISLAMABAD: For the first time in Pakistan, the Digital Development Index (DDI) has entered the digital development category with an average of 0.205 in the Pakistan National Human Development Report (NHDR), which measures the progress of digital development in Pakistan’s provinces and districts. 2023/2024 ‘Digitalisation for Growth: Access, Adopt, Expect, Accelerate’ launched today.
The report shows a strong correlation between districts that better implement digital transformation and have higher human development outcomes. For the first time in Pakistan, NHDR 2023/2024 evaluates access to digital technology and other factors such as digital usage, attaining digital skills and transformative potential in DDI, showing that certain districts have the highest transformative potential. due to its high digital growth.
According to the Global Human Development Report, Pakistan ranks 164 out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index and ranks 135 out of 166 countries on the Gender Inequality Index. Digital divides exacerbate low growth results.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, US Assistant Secretary General, UNDP Associate Administrator and Asia Pacific Regional Director Ms. Kanni Wignaraj were the chief guests on the visit. . A large gathering of diplomats, dignitaries, politicians, civil society, students and other walks of life attended the event which included an interactive exhibition about the digital evolution and journey of Pakistan since 1947.
Pakistan’s NHDR 2023/2024 provides a dynamic digital transformation policy framework, including the 4 As – Access, Adopt, Expect, Accelerate, through comprehensive statistical analysis at the national, provincial and district levels, nationally representative surveys and countrywide consultations. – Investment can be the fastest way to human development in Pakistan.
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to harnessing the benefits of technological innovation to improve livelihoods, accelerate financial inclusion, increase employment and provide effective public services,” Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said in his opening speech.
Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, said in her speech that more than 60 percent of the population in the Asia-Pacific region is online, and women and marginalized groups are significantly underrepresented. “Pakistan is the 6th largest contributor to global average growth, contributing 25 million between 2022 and 2030,” he said.
Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP in Pakistan, said at the event, “By implementing the report, we are contributing to a future-oriented Pakistan where digital transformation is a sign of inclusion and the key to its prosperity.”
The report shows that 54.3 percent of countries do not have access to the Internet due to inadequate digital infrastructure and access challenges. Almost half of the districts in Pakistan have a low DDI rating. Without equitable access to digital technology, human development outcomes in Pakistan are low and underserved. With 87.35 million internet users and significant mobile connectivity, the potential of digital transformation in Pakistan paves the way to leapfrog development barriers.
