Page 102 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Pakistan

The federal government has officially established the Pakistan the public sector.
Digital Authority (PDA), a new body tasked with spearheading The Digital Nation Bill, approved by the federal cabinet in June,
the country’s digital transformation agenda under the recently aims to create digital identities for citizens, centralize governance
approved Digital Nation Bill. The Cabinet Division confirmed and socioeconomic data, and transition Pakistan toward a digital
the appointments of Dr. Sohail Munir as chairperson and Dr. society, economy, and governance model. With the appointments,
Muhammad J. Sear as one of its two members, with a third Pakistan takes a significant step toward institutionalizing its digital
member yet to be named. The PDA, operating under the Ministry transformation journey, aligning with global trends of data-driven
of Information Technology and Telecommunication, will develop, governance and smart government infrastructure.
implement, and monitor Pakistan’s national digital master plan. It (August 26, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com
will also design a monitoring and evaluation framework for digital
transformation projects nationwide. Both Dr. Munir and Dr. Sear Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved the National AI Policy 2025,
have been appointed on five-year contracts. Dr. Munir, a digital setting ambitious goals to expand artificial intelligence across the
futurist with expertise in government transformation, currently country. The policy aims to train one million AI professionals by
serves as an adviser to Abu Dhabi’s Department of Government 2030, establish innovation funds to drive private sector growth, and
Enablement. Dr. Sear, CEO of UAE-based well-being startup Simpli implement thousands of AI projects to modernize public services
Human, has also worked extensively with governments and and the economy. Emphasizing inclusivity, the plan also supports
the private sector on digital transformation projects. The PDA’s women and persons with disabilities, strengthens cybersecurity,
mandate includes: and promotes international collaboration. Prime Minister Shahbaz
Coordinating between public and private stakeholders on digital Sharif highlighted AI’s transformative potential in agriculture,
initiatives. governance, and public services. An AI Council will oversee the
Establishing a national data strategy and governance framework. policy’s execution through a comprehensive master plan.
Reviewing and evaluating projects under the digital master plan. (August 1, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com
Developing standards for cloud infrastructure governance within

Palestine

On the sidelines of the Global Symposium for Regulators 2025 space, and innovation. The ministers reviewed opportunities for
(GSR-25), Saudi Minister of Communications and Information collaboration in areas including digital infrastructure development,
Technology Abdullah Alswaha met with Palestinian Minister digital government, talent building, and best-practice exchange.
of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al The meeting reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting
Natsheh to discuss strengthening cooperation in the digital Palestine’s digital transformation journey, enabling a future-
economy. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the oriented economy that fosters sustainable development and
talks focused on building a strategic partnership in digital creates opportunities for young people.
infrastructure, with participation from leaders in digital economy, (September 4, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com

Qatar

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has announced developments and existing properties. By simplifying and
the launch of the updated In-Building Telecommunications standardizing procedures, the guidelines reduce administrative
Infrastructure Standards, a set of mandatory guidelines designed burdens and enable faster, more reliable deployment of in-building
to strengthen Qatar’s digital foundations and ensure future- telecommunications infrastructure. This will benefit residential,
ready connectivity across all building types. The updated commercial, and governmental facilities alike, supporting Qatar’s
standards establish a detailed framework that covers in-building growing demand for seamless connectivity. These standards
wiring systems and mobile solutions, applicable to both new include enhancing the quality of telecommunications services to

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