Islamabad, Oct 27: Experts Warn Digital Divide May Impede Economic Growth and Youth Empowerment. Experts have cautioned that young empowerment and economic progress are at risk due to the digital divide. They emphasize that if we don’t take immediate action to close the gap, we risk leaving a whole generation behind, as millions of people lack access to technology.
The digital divide is a major issue that restricts Pakistan’s potential, a country where digital technology is vital for boosting economic growth and granting access to basic services. Larry Irving first used the phrase “digital divide” in the 1990s to describe the difference between people who have access to digital technology and the internet, as well as the knowledge and abilities to use them, and those who do not (Hadi, S. A., 2021).
In answer to a few questions from APP, Muhammad Saad, an IT specialist from Islamabad, highlights that closing the growing digital divide is the nation’s top priority. “The quick development of technology is leaving many behind, especially in rural areas and lower-income communities,” he adds. To guarantee that everyone has equal access to digital tools, we must make investments in infrastructure and education.
More than half of the population does not have access to the internet, with 54.3 percent of people being disconnected from this essential resource because of insufficient digital infrastructure and financial constraints, according to the UNDP’s newly published first Digital Development Index (DDI) report. Even while internet penetration is comparatively strong in urban regions like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, the difference with rural areas is striking.
The research also illustrates the stark differences in digital growth between Pakistan’s many provinces and districts, which range from high to extremely low levels of internet access. Only Lahore and Rawalpindi, two of Punjab’s 36 districts, receive a “high” score. Similarly, out of the 24 districts in Sindh, Karachi is the only one that is “highly digitally developed.
“Only two districts Abbotabad and Peshawar rank highly out of 32 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Although Quetta and Pishin are acknowledged for having moderate levels of digital development, Balochistan does not have any districts in the high category.
In addition to causing unequal access to information, this digital divide has significant economic ramifications. An increasing proportion of people lack basic digital literacy and abilities.Impeding their own financial opportunities and adversely affecting the development of the country.
Experts caution that the digital gap may impede youth empowerment and economic stability.Zafar Bakhtawari, the former Secretary General of the United Business Group (UBG) and President of the ICCI, “The digital divide has significant economic repercussions,” according to an interview with APP.
Digital connectivity is a major force behind economic growth in the modern world. Companies use the internet for operations, sales, and marketing, and digital skills are becoming more and more important in the labor market. Economic disparities are made worse by the disparity in digital access, which restricts employment prospects and stifles entrepreneurial potential in underprivileged communities.
He goes on to say that the gap between rural and urban economies is exacerbated by the lack of digital interconnectivity, which impedes innovation and economic growth. There is a significant gender component to the digital gap as well, with women being disproportionately disadvantaged. Remarkably, 83.5 percent of women say they have no say in who owns their phones and frequently leave these decisions to their parents or spouses.
In an interview with this writer, Sana Shah, Director of Academy “AshreiTech,” which partners with the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP), expressed disappointment that women frequently do not have equal access to cutting-edge technology. Due to restricted smartphone ownership or the cost of data plans, many women are unable to access social media sites, which account for a sizable amount of digital communication.
According to a representative of the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom (MoITT),”The government is dedicated to using innovation to improve quality of life and close the technological divide. An important step toward a Pakistan empowered by technology has been taken with the approval of the Digital Economy Enhancement Project.
ICT exports have increased by 30% as a result of our initiatives, demonstrating the resilience of our technology industry. “By investing in digital skills, encouraging innovation, and facilitating access to technology, MoITT is committed to fostering a thriving IT industry, positioning Pakistan as a leading digital hub in the region,” he stated in his closing remarks.
