Half of Pakistan’s districts have low digital development: UNDP report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s inaugural Digital Development Index (DDI) reveals that half of the country’s districts lag behind in digital development, as per the UNDP Pakistan National Human Development Report (NHDR) 2023/2024 titled ‘Doing Digital for Development: Access, Adopt, Anticipate, Accelerate’, launched today.

The report categorizes Pakistan under ‘moderate’ digital development with a cumulative DDI of 0.205. It highlights a notable link between districts excelling in digital transformation and those showing higher human development outcomes.

The NHDR 2023/2024 assesses access to digital technologies alongside digital usage, skills acquisition, and transformative potential, emphasizing how certain districts hold significant transformative capabilities due to advanced digital development.

Pakistan ranks low in the global human development index at 164 out of 193 countries and is positioned at 135 out of 166 countries in the gender inequality index. Digital disparities further impede overall development progress.

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Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal graced the launch ceremony as the chief guest, alongside visiting UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja.

The event, attended by diplomats, dignitaries, policymakers, civil society representatives, students, and others, featured an interactive exhibition highlighting Pakistan’s digital evolution since 1947.

The Pakistan NHDR 2023/2024 offers a dynamic digital transformation policy framework focused on the 4 As – Access, Adopt, Anticipate, Accelerate – which, through strategic investments, can expedite Pakistan’s path towards enhanced human development.

“The Government of Pakistan is committed to leveraging technological innovation for improved livelihoods, enhanced financial inclusion, employment opportunities, and efficient public service delivery,” emphasized Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal during his keynote address.

UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja, highlighted that just over 60% of the Asia-Pacific population is online, with women and marginalized groups significantly underrepresented. She noted Pakistan’s role as the 6th largest contributor to global middle-class growth by 2030, projecting a potential addition of 25 million individuals.

UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, Dr Samuel Rizk, expressed the report’s goal of fostering a future-oriented Pakistan where digital transformation drives inclusivity and prosperity.

The report underscores that 54.3 per cent of Pakistan lacks internet access due to insufficient digital infrastructure and affordability challenges. Nearly half of Pakistan’s districts exhibit low DDI rankings, hindering equitable digital technology access and impeding human development outcomes. Leveraging Pakistan’s 87.35 million internet users and robust mobile connectivity presents a promising avenue for overcoming development hurdles through digital transformation, the report says.