In a landmark stride towards bolstering its digital infrastructure, Pakistan has inked a strategic pact with China, elevating its status as a regional hub for digital connectivity. Spearheaded by Caretaker Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, this groundbreaking agreement heralds a new era of possibilities for Pakistan’s digital landscape.
Central to this agreement is the establishment of the ‘Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) powered by DE-CIX,’ marking Pakistan’s inaugural carrier-neutral Internet Exchange (IX) in Islamabad. This collaboration with DE-CIX, a global leader in IX operation, positions Pakistan at the forefront of regional connectivity, poised to reap substantial revenue from internet transit traffic.
Dr. Umar Saif, underscoring the transformative potential of this collaboration, highlighted Pakistan’s burgeoning digital market, boasting an internet user-base surpassing Italy’s population. The partnership aims to position Pakistan as a pivotal hub for regional connectivity, offering low-latency interconnection and localized access to global content.
Moreover, the agreement entails the establishment of Pakistan’s premier carrier-neutral Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and data center by Etisalat, operated in collaboration with PTCL and DE-CIX. This state-of-the-art facility will facilitate the provision of super-scaling cloud services, fostering an environment conducive to digital innovation.
Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL & Ufone 4G, echoed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, reaffirming their commitment to advancing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure.
The Pakistan Internet Exchange, nestled within the PTCL data center in Karachi and operated by DE-CIX, is poised to catalyze the country’s digital economy, with projected annual revenues ranging from $200-400 million through transit traffic. This initiative not only promises to elevate the internet experience for users but also accelerate the growth trajectory of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.