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Pakistan is edging closer to approving its much-anticipated E-Commerce Policy 2.0, a move expected to accelerate the country’s digital economy and push online trade to $20 billion by 2030. The upcoming framework is designed to strengthen digital commerce, enhance consumer protection, and ensure greater transparency across e-commerce platforms.
The development surfaced after Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with a Meta delegation to explore opportunities in digital trade, artificial intelligence (AI), and e-commerce growth. Both sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation in digital transformation and online safety.
According to the minister, Pakistan now ranks among South Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies, producing more than 75,000 IT graduates annually. He noted that IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports surged by 18 percent, reaching $3.8 billion, while the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal year recorded a 21 percent rise, with exports climbing to $1.06 billion.
Jam Kamal Khan invited Meta to collaborate on AI ethics, digital safety, and e-commerce standards, emphasizing the need for transparency and consumer trust in Pakistan’s online marketplace. He highlighted the government’s efforts through the National AI Policy 2025 and the Digital Pakistan Act, encouraging Meta to participate in AI skilling programs aimed at empowering youth and promoting innovation.
Rafael Frankel, Meta’s Director for Emerging Markets, lauded Pakistan’s steady progress in the digital sector and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to long-term collaboration. He said Meta is keen to support digital training programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses to strengthen Pakistan’s online ecosystem.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to expand cooperation in innovation, digital inclusion, and secure e-commerce practices. The shared goal is to advance economic empowerment through technology and position Pakistan as a regional hub for digital trade.
