The Freedom Gate Prosperity (FGP), in collaboration with the Accountability Lab and the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI), hosted in Islamabad the Pakistan Digital Democracy Dialogue 2026 under the theme of Digital Pakistan for All: Trust, Rights and Responsible Innovation. Besides other key topics, the dialogue focused on information integrity, digital civic space, artificial intelligence (AI), and inclusive digital transformation.
Presidential spokesperson Murtaza Solangi; Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Cyber Vigilance Division Director General Dr Muhammad Mukarram Khan; Ministry of Finance Revenue Division Additional Secretary Dr Saad Khan; National Center of Artificial Intelligence (NCAI) Chairman Professor Dr Yasar Ayaz; Karandaaz Pakistan Chief Digital Officer Sharjeel Murtaza; InspireMill founder and OPEN Network President Sidra Jalil, foreign media correspondent Farhat Javed Rabani and experts joined the dialogue as speakers.
After opening remarks of Accountability Lab Board of Directors Chairman Ali Imran, and welcome note of Freedom Gate Prosperity founder and CEO Muhammad Anwar, the dialogue brought together policymakers, government officials, technology experts, media professionals, and civil society leaders to develop practical recommendations for building a trusted, inclusive, and rights-based digital future for Pakistan. Murtaza Solangi, Dr Muhammad Mukarram Khan, Dr Yasar Ayaz, and Farhat Javed Rabani joined the first session as key speakers to discuss information integrity, digital civic space and democratic resilience.
During the session, the speakers examined misinformation, responsible communication, media literacy, freedom of expression, public trust, and the role of digital civic spaces in strengthening democratic participation and resilience. Murtaza Solangi highlighted the growing importance of information integrity in the digital era. While digital platforms have democratized access to information, he observed that they have also amplified misinformation and polarization. He stressed that strengthening democratic resilience requires credible institutions, responsible media, informed citizens, and continuous dialogue among all the stakeholders.
Dr Muhammad Mukarram emphasized that digital trust and cybersecurity have become fundamental pillars of national resilience. He said that Pakistan must continue to strengthen institutional preparedness to counter cyber threats, online fraud, identity theft, and emerging digital risks, while ensuring that technological progress remains secure, citizen-centric, and rights-based. Dr Yasar Ayaz said that AI presents opportunities for improving governance, education, healthcare and economic productivity. He urged the state institutions to invest in indigenous AI research, ethical governance frameworks, and human capital so that technological advancement remains inclusive, and beneficial to the society.
Dr Saad Khan, Sharjeel Murtaza, and Sidra Jalil joined the second session as key speakers to discuss inclusive digital transformation, artificial intelligence and GovTech. During the session, they explored inclusive access to digital technologies, responsible artificial intelligence, citizen-centered public services, data protection, and the potential of GovTech to improve transparency, accessibility and institutional accountability. Sharjeel Murtaza highlighted the transformative role of digital public infrastructure in improving service delivery and financial inclusion. He said that the digital innovation should simplify citizens’ interaction with public institutions while expanding access to opportunities for underserved communities.
Farhat Rabani underscored the critical role of ethical journalism and fact-based reporting in preserving public trust. She said that strengthening investigative journalism and enhancing media literacy were essential to counter misinformation and promote an informed digital society. FGP Board member Urooj Raza Sayyami observed that digital transformation should strengthen democratic participation, public trust and citizen empowerment. Sidra Jalil emphasized that digital future depends on empowering entrepreneurs, innovators and women leaders. She called for stronger support for startups, digital skills development and innovation ecosystems that enable young people to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
CEO Muhammad Anwar informed the audience that rapidly evolving digital landscape was creating significant opportunities for citizen participation, improved public services, economic development, innovation and more accountable governance. He said the digital technologies were changing how people communicate, access information, engage with public institutions and participate in democratic life. At the same time, he said misinformation, online harm, unequal access to technology, threats to privacy and freedom of expression, weak public trust, and the insufficiently governed use of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies present serious challenges.
Speaking on the occasion, Ali Imran reaffirmed the Accountability Lab’s commitment to promoting democratic values, accountable governance and citizen participation through technology and innovation. He said sustainable digital transformation must be accompanied by transparency, inclusion and collaborative partnerships that empower citizens and strengthen democratic institutions. National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) Chairman Ali Asghar highlighted the importance of digital literacy as a cornerstone of inclusive development. He stressed that technology can only become an effective tool for progress when citizens possess knowledge and skills to use it safely, and productively.
Peace and Justice Network CEO Raza Ali Shah emphasized that digital inclusion should be accompanied by efforts to promote social cohesion, civic engagement and responsible online behavior. He said that technology should serve as a bridge for dialogue, understanding and peaceful coexistence. The session also featured interventions from experts representing digital innovation, entrepreneurship and public policy, who underscored the importance of ethical AI, citizen-centric digital services, stronger institutional coordination and sustained investment in digital skills and innovation ecosystems.
FGP strategic policy adviser Shafqat Aziz called for a multi-stakeholder national framework on information integrity, accelerated inclusive digital transformation, responsible AI governance, enhanced digital literacy and cyber safety, stronger protection of digital rights, closer collaboration among academia, government and industry, and institutionalized policy dialogue to guide Pakistan’s digital future. Headquartered in Islamabad, the Freedom Gate Prosperity is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through inclusive development, climate action, civic engagement, and market-driven skills-based empowerment. Founded in 2024, the organization builds on the legacy of Freedom Gate Pakistan (2006) and has evolved into a structured, impact-driven platform.
