ISLAMABAD, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has recorded a significant reduction in the gender gap in mobile internet access, with 8 million more women coming online in 2024-2025, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saturday as the country marked World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025.

In a message released by the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif said the gender gap in mobile internet access had narrowed from 38 percent to 25 percent, the highest improvement globally, largely driven by increased digital inclusion among women in rural areas.

He said the progress reflected Pakistan's commitment to creating a digital environment that empowers women and promotes equal participation.

"Through targeted policies, skills development, and gender-sensitive infrastructure, we are ensuring that women and girls are not left behind in the digital era," Sharif said.

The prime minister noted that the country's broader digital transformation included surpassing 200 million telecom subscriptions, 150 million broadband users, and 2 million fiber-to-the-home connections.

He added that mobile manufacturing grew by 47.46 percent, while international connectivity was enhanced through high-capacity submarine cables.

Sharif said Pakistan's mobile ecosystem now contributes 16.7 billion U.S. dollars to the national economy.

He called on stakeholders from all sectors to champion gender equality in digital access and to work collectively toward building an inclusive and digitally empowered Pakistan. ■