Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, led a series of high-level policy meetings in Islamabad, reaffirming the government’s strategic focus on digital reform, international investment partnerships, and inclusive development under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.

In the first meeting, Senator Ishaq Dar chaired a session on IT and Telecom Reforms, aimed at transforming Pakistan’s digital ecosystem. The meeting brought together Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, the Secretary IT, Director General of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and senior representatives from the Board of Investment (BoI), Ministry of Commerce, and other relevant departments.

Discussions focused on the advancement of structural reforms in Pakistan’s IT and telecom sector. Key areas of emphasis included the development of robust digital infrastructure, streamlining policy frameworks, promoting innovation and startup culture, and creating an investment-friendly environment to attract domestic and foreign capital into the tech ecosystem.

The meeting also explored strategies for digital upskilling, cybersecurity readiness, data protection, and the integration of e-governance solutions across public sector platforms. Senator Dar reaffirmed the government’s resolve to boost Pakistan’s digital economy, facilitate tech exports, and position the country as a competitive regional hub for IT services.

Later in the day, the Deputy Prime Minister chaired a crucial meeting of the Committee for Development of Investment Portfolio, focusing on enhancing economic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its leading investment entities.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Finance, Energy, Petroleum, Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Privatization, along with representatives from SIFC, the Punjab Energy Department, the Fauji Foundation, and the Attorney General’s Branch.

The agenda centered on identifying priority sectors for UAE investment, including energy, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, minerals, and public-private partnerships. Participants also discussed regulatory and procedural barriers, opportunities for joint ventures, and the importance of inter-agency coordination to facilitate a smooth investment pipeline.

Senator Dar emphasized that the government is pursuing a long-term investment vision and is fully committed to removing bottlenecks that delay foreign investment. He noted that Pakistan seeks to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with UAE investors, supported by transparent governance, fast-track approvals, and clear dispute resolution mechanisms.

In another significant engagement, Senator Ishaq Dar chaired the 47th Steering Committee meeting of the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme (SAP). The session reaffirmed Pakistan’s national commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a strong focus on uplifting marginalized populations through improved access to infrastructure and services.

The meeting included representatives from key government departments and development stakeholders. It highlighted the importance of aligning national planning frameworks with SDG targets, especially in areas such as poverty eradication, education, healthcare, clean water access, gender equality, and climate resilience.

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the SDGs are not symbolic targets but core pillars of Pakistan’s development strategy. He emphasized inclusive growth, regional equity, and targeted delivery of services to underserved communities as central to the government’s social agenda.

The Steering Committee also discussed methods for localizing SDG indicators, strengthening data monitoring and reporting frameworks, and enhancing coordination between federal, provincial, and local institutions to ensure measurable progress.

These back-to-back high-level engagements illustrate the strategic governance approach adopted by the current leadership where digital transformation, foreign investment, and sustainable development are being pursued in tandem to build a resilient, modern, and equitable Pakistan.