Two years ago, when the coronavirus pandemic triggered targeted lockdowns and changed life as we knew it, we were forced to think of out-of-the-box solutions. Overnight, large gatherings were restricted, and in-person business operations were also impacted. With no other option at their disposal, organisations encouraged employees to work from home, and the remote lifestyle was quickly adopted by firms of all sizes, educational institutions etc. However, remote work was made possible only through internet connectivity.

According to the Inclusive Internet Index 2022, Pakistan is right at the bottom of a group of 22 countries in Asia. Pakistan ranks last in Asia in the two categories of ‘availability’ and ‘relevance’. Our strongest performance is in the affordability sector, driven largely by a vibrant and competitive environment through broadband operators’ market share.

To say that the world is a global village would be an understatement. Diseases and climate change disasters evade borders and strike whenever, wherever they want. While it is difficult to subdue them completely, it is possible to join hands and prevent them from causing severe damage. No individual sector is equipped to solve the challenges that we face today on its own. Collaboration among business leaders is the need of the hour.

It’s time for thought leaders to make greater efforts to involve a broader range of stakeholders in all aspects of life. Always an optimist, I believe that we are reaching a point where the increased inflow of young men and women into the workforce and consumer base is increasingly leading large corporations to adopt socially responsible procedures. Millennials and Gen Zs now demand that companies operate with more climate-friendly policies. That, I believe, is changing oneself for the better.

Women have more employment options through mobile networks

A long time before the advent of technology as we know it, when people did not communicate via SMS messages, social media, or email, they still found ways to connect in times of joy and sorrow. Take, for example, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. For people, it has been easier to unite in their grief through online connectivity. These are just some ways people found with the tools at their disposal. We build upon the foundations laid by our elders and pass the torch to the younger leaders of tomorrow to achieve an equally connected society.

The other end of the mobile spectrum suggests that devices are a hindrance when it comes to interpersonal communication, distracting us from those around us. However, Telenor Asia - Digital Lives Decoded, a recent report on the role of mobile devices in shaping people’s lives in Asia, dispels this notion and indicates that our relationships, in fact, have improved.

Through mobile phones, the report argues, people are experiencing stronger relationships with one another, spreading more awareness and increasing productivity and efficiency.

The report also highlights gender differences in mobile usage; more women (64 per cent) believe mobile significantly improves their lives compared to men (52pc).

This critical insight can enrich women’s lives by providing them better access to information, entertainment, and equal opportunities. In addition, women across Asia, including Pakistan, have reported increased options regarding employment opportunities, thanks to mobile connectivity.

Seeing young people, especially women achieving their goals through mobile fuels my hope for a better-connected world beyond fear-based divisions that hold us back. The world is going mobile, and we must increase our capacities across the board to keep pace with the changing times.

It’s also a fundamental time for us to understand the carbon footprint of our online habits and make mobile connectivity equally empowering and sustainable for everyone. We have a responsibility to question where the electricity we use comes from and, even more importantly, what can be done to make it environment friendly.

Being truly connected means creating space for those difficult conversations that require the skills to find solutions in mutual respect and transparent ways. In today’s deeply interconnected world, where it is easy to feel divided by the abundance of opinions on social media, we can either increase those gaps or find ways to connect more deeply. I choose the latter, and I hope you will, too.

The author is the CEO of Telenor Pakistan, Chairman Telenor Microfinance Bank and former president of Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He tweets @IrfanWahabKhan

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, October 3rd, 2022