Low on DQL Index
Considering the dilapidated infrastructure and lack of technological development, it is not surprising that Pakistan has been ranked as one of the worst countries in the Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2021. After coming down 4 places from last year, we currently stand at the 97th spot among 110 countries. The DQL survey evaluates countries on 5 major aspects — internet affordability, internet quality, electronic infrastructure, electronic security and electronic government. The survey suggests that Pakistan’s internet affordability and access is considerably better than its e-infrastructure and e-security.
This suggests that the country is decades behind other leading technologically developed countries. Therefore, the incumbent government must ramp up efforts and bring about a tech revolution. There is a dire need to counter 5th generation warfare, especially while being stuck between an unstable Afghanistan and a belligerent India. The hacking of the FBR system this year and K-Electric last year indicates that the threat of cyber-attacks has increased in the midst of brewing global tensions.
Apart from this, the government must invest in developing the e-commerce market. As compared to last year, the e-commerce market size has witnessed a growth of over 35% in just the first quarter of 2021. This indicates immense untapped potential that must be supported by technological infrastructure. The development of e-commerce would also help support local businesses and aid the ailing economy.
Technology has also become essential for effective governance and administration. However, most federal and provincial departments, including the local courts, lack basic technological infrastructure. They still resort to physical filing systems. The first step that can be taken is to digitise the bureaucratic and judicial system. Their systems should be seamlessly connected to improve coordination.
The reigning pandemic has further increased our reliance on technology as seen in the shift towards online learning. Therefore, basic technology and internet access is now slowly becoming a right, without which one won’t be able to acquire quality education. The government must start investing now where it counts the most before we further fall down the development ladder.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2021.
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