Islamabad, January 13, 2026 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lauded Ericsson for its long-standing contribution to the growth and modernization of Pakistan’s telecommunications sector, during a meeting with a high-level delegation of the global telecom company at the Prime Minister’s House.
The Ericsson delegation was led by Patrick Johansson, President and Head of Market Area Europe, Middle East and Africa. Welcoming the visiting team, the Prime Minister appreciated Ericsson’s continued investment in Pakistan and acknowledged the company’s presence in the country for more than six decades.
During the meeting, discussions centered on the critical role of next-generation digital connectivity in driving economic growth, enhancing productivity and improving public service delivery. Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s keen interest in benefiting from Ericsson’s global expertise in advanced network technologies, including 5G, while ensuring that telecom infrastructure remains secure, resilient and aligned with national priorities.
Both sides also explored avenues for cooperation in digital skills development, financial inclusion and the expansion of cashless payment systems. The use of modern technology to strengthen disaster preparedness, institutional resilience and governance capacity was another key area of discussion.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s strong commitment to facilitating foreign investors and strategic technology partners operating in Pakistan. In response, the Ericsson delegation appreciated the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to upgrade the country’s IT and telecom infrastructure, particularly initiatives related to the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Technology Ms. Shaza Fatma Khawaja, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, along with senior officials, were also present at the meeting.