Pakistan’s digital economy is gaining momentum
It’s summertime in Pakistan. But this year around, the change in season isn’t accompanied with the usual shopping fever for the light, breezy fabric preferred during this time. Since lockdown has confined people to their homes, the jostling for lawn, the breathable, cotton fabric has moved to digital shops. Online shopping has been on the rise in the last two months. Banks have waived charges on fund transfers through online banking channels. The central bank has pushed awareness campaigns aimed at limiting the use of currency notes and visits to banks. E-commerce has been evolving at a slow pace. By the end of last year, the volume of e-commerce totalled Rs100 billion (or only $640m). The focus on online financial transactions and greater volumes of e-commerce could double that number.
It’s not just the world of ecommerce and finance that is going digital. There were no spring or summer fashion weeks in the country this year. The country’s top designers are preparing for a virtual fashion show called ‘Catwalk Cares’ where a lineup of 16 to 20 designers — who otherwise opt to go solo — will showcase about two to three outfits each. Stylists are similarly planning to style the models virtually — via FaceTime. An online solo exhibition, titled Cultural Note, features 20 acrylic paintings by Ahmad Habib depicting old Rawalpindi’s architecture that were all completed while the artist was confined to his home during the coronavirus lockdown is on. TV game shows, cooking shows, religious programmes have adjusted to restrictions. Artistes have held online concerts. Now they are set to perform at a virtual programme meant to raise funds. Educational institutes across the country are trying to deal with the crisis at hand by providing education online. However,
It’s not just the world of e-commerce and finance that is going digital. There were no spring or summer fashion weeks in the country this year.
many students seem dissatisfied with the way this is being done. Former cricketing greats have been holding online coaching and training sessions for younger lot.
The Covid-19 pandemic has hastened Pakistan’s progress to digitisation. As its people plug into a digital future, they should also feel the urgency to restore their connection to the nature that sustains them before it’s too late.