ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday welcomed the launch of Global Initiative on Data Security by China, saying that an equitable and reliable Information and Communications Technology (ICT) regime is essential to ensure socio-economic progress, including the Strategic Development Goals (SDGs).
The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson, while responding to a question about China’s initiative, said that the announcement made by China on the initiative was very important against the backdrop of rapid developments in the field of ICT and increasing reliance of economies on digitized information, data and information networks.
“The Global Initiative on Data Security is, therefore, both relevant and timely. The Global Initiative advocates a comprehensive approach towards data security and addresses several key issues which are being extensively deliberated at the United Nations and other multilateral fora, and on which the norm-building process is currently underway, ” the spokesman said.
He said that Pakistan underscores the need for dialogue and international cooperation to ensure open, secure, peaceful, and inclusive environment in cyberspace and ICTs and a balanced approach to technological progress, economic development and national security interests.
“With a population of over 200 million people, and a flourishing digital landscape marked by a growing number of online users, Pakistan attaches immense importance to leveraging digital technologies for enabling socio-economic development and facilitating more effective and efficient governance and public service delivery, ” he added.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan is committed to promoting international cooperation in ICTs and cybersecurity as a means of bridging the digital divide.
“All countries are equal stakeholders in the development of rules governing digital economy and security of cyberspace and ICT,” concluded the spokesperson.
