ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s lack of policy direction for the digital transformation of the economy threatens the realization of its e-commerce potential, an Islamabad-based think tank says in a study released on Friday.
In 2020, the State Bank of Pakistan forecasts total e-commerce activity in Pakistan to have more than tripled since 2016-17. However, the growth of the e-commerce sector “has largely been in spite of government policy action (or lack thereof), not because of it,” the report says.
According to technology policy expert Anum Malkani, who authored the study published by Tabadlab, despite e-commerce being recognized as an important tool to boost small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), employment and exports, the policy response has been slow.
While the Ministry of Commerce released Pakistan’s e-commerce policy in October 2019 to address the slow pace and lack of direction, Tabadlab argues there remains ambiguity on key issues such as data protection, digital financial transactions, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in e-commerce.
To truly transform transactions, the study says, policy must strengthen the technology and payments infrastructure and improve access across the country and regulatory framework, including protecting consumers from fraud, and ensuring data protection and privacy.
It must also clarify taxation policy with regard to local and international e-commerce, and enable access to foreign markets through multilateral and bilateral agreements.
If not addressed, according Tabadlab, the gaps threaten the realization of Pakistan’s e-commerce potential.
Policy gaps threaten realization of Pakistan’s e-commerce potential — study
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Policy gaps threaten realization of Pakistan’s e-commerce potential — study
- SBP forecasts e-commerce activity in 2020 to have more than tripled since 2016
- Policy ambiguity remains with regard to data protection, digital financial transactions and FDI
Pakistan to introduce new navigation system to cut flight delays at Skardu, Gilgit and Chitral
- Pakistan Airports Authority says satellite-guided RNP-AR procedures will be in place by June 2026, pending a feasibility study
- The system is expected to reduce weather-related delays and cancelations in Pakistan’s most popular mountain destinations
KARACHI: Pakistan said on Sunday it would introduce a new satellite-guided navigation system for flights to Skardu, Gilgit and Chitral by June 2026, aiming to curb chronic weather-related delays and cancelations at the three remote northern airports.
The destinations are among Pakistan’s most visited tourist sites and serve as gateways to the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. Gilgit-Baltistan, which borders China, also holds strategic significance as part of the northern corridor linking the two neighbors.
Marking International Civil Aviation Day, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said it was accelerating aviation-sector upgrades, including the rollout of Required Navigation Performance – Authorization Required (RNP-AR) procedures.
RNP-AR is a high-precision, satellite-based approach system that enables aircraft to fly accurate, terrain-avoiding paths in low visibility, reducing weather-related disruptions at mountain airports.
“Pakistan Airports Authority is rapidly working on major projects for safe, efficient and modern aviation in the country,” the PAA said.
It added that RNP-AR flight procedures for Skardu, Gilgit and Chitral “will be implemented by June 2026,” subject to the findings of a consultant’s feasibility study.
The authority said the system would “significantly reduce weather-related flight delays and cancelations.”
The PAA also announced timelines for several other major upgrades, including terminal expansion at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport by September 2026 and runway modernization at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport by January 2026.
Further works include the next upgrade phase at Skardu Airport and phase two of Muridke General Aviation Aerodrome, both due to begin next year.
New greenfield airports in Dera Ismail Khan, Sukkur and Faisalabad have also entered planning stages, the statement said.
Final sites have been approved for a new air-traffic control tower and rescue fire station at Karachi Airport, infrastructure the PAA said would strengthen air-traffic management and safety.
“Pakistan Airports Authority is leading the aviation sector toward a safer and more accessible future,” it said.
