PKSIG 2019

pkSIG 21-23 August 2019, Quetta, Pakistan

5th Pakistan School on Internet Governance

The pioneer national school on Internet Governance in the Asia-Pacific reached another milestone. It started from the Federal Capital in 2015 and covered all but one provincial capital in the subsequent editions. This year, pkSIG conducted its fifth edition in Quetta – the provincial capital of Balochistan which was the biggest challenge for us so far. For those who may not know, Balochistan has the largest land area among provinces yet it is the least populated and least developed province in Pakistan. Moreover, only 27% of its population lives in urban areas having low Internet and broadband penetration. Find adequate sponsors and more importantly, diversity among the students was a critical concern. But, pkSIG 2019 at Quetta proved to be one of the best editions of this school ever.

Over 60 participants attended the school out of which 33% were female students. National Incubation Centre, Quetta provided excellent local host facilities while tremendous support was extended by the sponsors (Facebook, StormFiber, Multinet, e-Commerce Gateway, APASA, e-Commerce Gateway Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Internet Society Asia-Pacific Bureau and Internet Society Pakistan Islamabad Chapter). The School had a superb diversity with participants ranging from Government, academia, operators, legal counsel, students and intellectuals. The Programme featured lectures/discussions covering political, legal, economic, socio-cultural, technological and other dimensions of the Internet Governance. In addition to theoretical sessions, role play session on Privacy and its societal implications was also conducted. It was also a matter of honour that Mr. Tariq Qamar Baloch, Secretary IT, Government of Balochistan presided over the closing ceremony and distributed shields/certificates among participants. One of the highlights of the school this year was the fact that nearly all the faculty members were from Pakistan which signifies the strength of Pakistan’s IG community. Next year, the challenge is even bigger as we aim to conduct the school at one of the highest terrains on the planet i.e. Gilgit which is home to more than 20 peaks of over 20,000 feet, including K-2 the second highest mountain on earth. You are cordially invited.