Pakistan and South Sudan are moving to strengthen cooperation in information and communication technology (ICT), with the two countries expected to sign a memorandum of understanding covering ICT and broadcasting.
The planned partnership comes as South Sudan steps up efforts to modernise its digital infrastructure and expand access to digital services after years of conflict slowed development.
On Tuesday, Shahid Sajjad Hussain, honorary consul of Pakistan to South Sudan, met Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan's minister of information, communication technology and postal services, in Juba to discuss bilateral cooperation.
The meeting followed recent talks between the two countries' ICT ministers on the sidelines of the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, Switzerland. During those discussions, Ateny met Pakistan's minister of state for information technology and telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, to explore closer cooperation in the ICT sector.
Following the meeting in Juba, Chol Duang Chan, executive director in the Office of the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, said the discussions had been constructive.
"The ministry is looking forward to a memorandum of understanding in the areas of ICT and the broadcasting sector with Pakistan," Chan said.
Pakistan and South Sudan maintain diplomatic and cooperative relations, with Pakistan supporting the country's security, stability and institutional development.
Cooperation between the two countries has included peacekeeping initiatives and, more recently, a media training agreement concluded ahead of South Sudan's general elections, scheduled for later this year.
The proposed ICT partnership forms part of South Sudan's broader digital transformation agenda, which includes expanding the national fibre network, rolling out e-government services, improving rural connectivity and strengthening regional digital integration.
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