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{{Short description|Pakistani politician}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Pakistani name|Anusha|Rahman}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix =
|name = Anusha Rahman
|image =Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan (cropped).jpg
|office = [[Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (Pakistan)|Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication]]
|term_start = 27 April 2018
|term_end = 31 May 2018
|primeminister = [[Shahid Khaqan Abbasi]]
|president = [[Mamnoon Hussain]]
|office1 = [[Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (Pakistan)|Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication]]
| term_start1 = 4 August 2017
|term_end1 = 27 April 2018
|primeminister1 = [[Shahid Khaqan Abbasi]]
|president1 = [[Mamnoon Hussain]]
|term_start2 = 7 June 2013
| term_end2 = 28 July 2017
|president2 = [[Mamnoon Hussain]]
|primeminister2 = [[Nawaz Sharif]]
|predecessor2 =
|successor2 =
| office3 = Member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]]
| term_start3 = 17 March 2008
|term_end3 = 31 May 2018
|constituency3 = Reserved seat for women
|birth_date = {{birth date and age| 1968|6 |1 |df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Lahore]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]
|nationality = Pakistani
|party = [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]]
|alma_mater = [[University College London]]
}}

'''Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan ''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|انوشہ رحمان احمد خان}}}}; born 1 June 1968) is a [[Pakistani]] politician who served as [[Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (Pakistan)|Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication]], in [[Abbasi cabinet]] from April 2018 to May 2018. Previously she served as the [[Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (Pakistan)|Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication of Pakistan]] from June 2013 to July 2017 in the [[third Sharif ministry]] and again from August 2017 to April 2018 in the [[Abbasi cabinet|Abbasi ministry]]. She had been a member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] from 2008 to May 2018 representing the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)]].

==Early life and education==
Anusha was born on 1 June 1968.<ref>{{cite news|title=If elections are held on time…|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/404658|accessdate=4 December 2017|work=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en}}</ref> and belongs to a pre-partition political family. In 1992, Rehman graduated with a [[LLB]] and received an [[LLM]] from [[University College London]] specializing in Law and Economics of regulated industries, networks and markets.<ref name="pildat/1">{{cite web|title=Profiles: International Conference on Civil-Military Relations|url=http://www.pildat.org/Pak-IndiaDialogueII/Pak_Profiles.asp|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218225720/http://www.pildat.org/Pak-IndiaDialogueII/Pak_Profiles.asp|archivedate=18 February 2014|access-date=12 February 2016|publisher=Pildat|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.na.gov.pk/en/profile.php?uid=224|title=National Assembly of Pakistan|website=www.na.gov.pk|access-date=2017-01-08|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109184525/http://www.na.gov.pk/en/profile.php?uid=224|archivedate=9 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Professional career ==
In early 1990s, Rehman started legal career. She is a professional corporate lawyer by profession. According to Rehman, she had been working with the telecom sector since the 1990s.

== Political career ==
Anusha began her political career in 2006 or 2007, when she was made senior vice president of the lawyers’ wing of PML-N. She played an active role in the lawyers movement for the restoration of the judiciary following [[Pakistani state of emergency, 2007]]. She was elected as a member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] for the first time in [[2008 Pakistani general election]] on a reserved seat for women.<ref>{{cite news|title=Only 300 votes polled in house of 342|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/728671/only-300-votes-polled-in-house-of-342|accessdate=8 January 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=22 June 2012|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109021156/http://www.dawn.com/news/728671/only-300-votes-polled-in-house-of-342|archivedate=9 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> She was a member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice during her tenure in National Assembly. In 2009, Rehman was a key member of the PML-N's steering committee, which was tasked with dealing with legal matters.

She was re-elected as a member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] for the second time in [[2013 Pakistani general election]] on a reserved seat for women.<ref>{{cite news|title=PML-N secures most reserved seats for women in NA – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/555511/pml-n-secures-most-reserved-seats-for-women-in-na/|accessdate=7 March 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=28 May 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304195047/https://tribune.com.pk/story/555511/pml-n-secures-most-reserved-seats-for-women-in-na/|archivedate=4 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Women, minority seats allotted|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1014677|accessdate=7 March 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=29 May 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307205110/https://www.dawn.com/news/1014677|archivedate=7 March 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Women’s reserved seats: Top politicians’ spouses, kin strike it lucky – The Express Tribune|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/556356/womens-reserved-seats-top-politicians-spouses-kin-strike-it-lucky/|accessdate=8 January 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=30 May 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109021444/http://tribune.com.pk/story/556356/womens-reserved-seats-top-politicians-spouses-kin-strike-it-lucky/|archivedate=9 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Candidates cleared for reserved seats|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/801559/candidates-cleared-for-reserved-seats|accessdate=8 January 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=10 April 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109113105/http://www.dawn.com/news/801559/candidates-cleared-for-reserved-seats|archivedate=9 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2013, Rehman was appointed as the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication.<ref name="tribune/8june2013">{{cite news|title=Federal cabinet unveiled: Enter the ministers – The Express Tribune|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/560553/federal-cabinet-unveiled-enter-the-ministers/|accessdate=8 January 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=8 June 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029083547/http://tribune.com.pk/story/560553/federal-cabinet-unveiled-enter-the-ministers/|archivedate=29 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nation.com.pk/national/18-Jan-2017/anusha-invited-by-british-pm-to-wef-panel-discussion|title=Anusha invited by British PM to WEF panel discussion|newspaper=The Nation|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-18|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118210753/http://nation.com.pk/national/18-Jan-2017/anusha-invited-by-british-pm-to-wef-panel-discussion|archivedate=18 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.com.pk/national/07-Jun-2013/25-member-federal-cabinet-sworn-in |title=Sworn in as Minister of State |publisher=Nation pk |date=7 June 2013 |accessdate=3 June 2014 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210145811/http://www.nation.com.pk/national/07-Jun-2013/25-member-federal-cabinet-sworn-in |archivedate=10 February 2014 }}</ref>

She had ceased to hold ministerial office in July 2017 when the federal cabinet was disbanded following the resignation of Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] after [[Panama Papers case (Pakistan)|Panama Papers case]] decision.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Nawaz Sharif steps down; federal cabinet stands dissolved|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pm-nawaz-gives-up-his-post-federal-cabinet-stands-dissolved/|accessdate=28 July 2017|work=Daily Pakistan Global|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728114411/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pm-nawaz-gives-up-his-post-federal-cabinet-stands-dissolved/|archivedate=28 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Following the election of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2017, she was inducted into the federal cabinet of [[Abbasi ministry|Abbasi]].<ref name="app/4aug2017">{{cite news|title=A 43-member new cabinet sworn in|url=https://www.app.com.pk/a-43-member-new-cabinet-sworn-in/|accessdate=4 August 2017|work=Associated Press Of Pakistan|date=4 August 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804174456/https://www.app.com.pk/a-43-member-new-cabinet-sworn-in/|archivedate=4 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="pakistantoday/4aug2017">{{cite news|title=PM Khaqan Abbasi’s 43-member cabinet takes oath today|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/08/04/new-federal-cabinet-ministers-take-oath-today/|accessdate=4 August 2017|publisher=Pakistan Today|date=4 August 2017}}</ref> She was appointed as the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication.<ref>{{cite news|title=Portfolios of Federal Ministers, Ministers of State announced|url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/05-Aug-2017/portfolios-of-federal-ministers-ministers-of-state-announced|accessdate=5 August 2017|work=Radio Pakistan|date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805181242/http://www.radio.gov.pk/05-Aug-2017/portfolios-of-federal-ministers-ministers-of-state-announced|archivedate=5 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Portfolios of federal, state ministers|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/221526-Portfolios-of-federal-state-ministers|accessdate=5 August 2017|work=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805133715/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/221526-Portfolios-of-federal-state-ministers|archivedate=5 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In April 2018, she was elevated as the federal minister<ref>{{cite news|date=27 April 2018|title=Govt expands cabinet months before elections - The Express Tribune|work=The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1696773/1-govt-expands-cabinet-months-elections/|accessdate=27 April 2018}}</ref> and was appointed as Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication in the cabinet of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Notification April 2018|url=http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/userfiles1/file/federal-Minister-27-04-2018.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430171817/http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/userfiles1/file/federal-Minister-27-04-2018.pdf|archive-date=30 April 2018|accessdate=30 April 2018|publisher=Cabinet division}}</ref> Upon the dissolution of the National Assembly on the expiration of its term on 31 May 2018, Rehman ceased to hold the office as Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication.<ref>{{cite web|title=Notification|url=http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/userfiles1/file/fm-mos-noti-01-06-2018.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601180526/http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/userfiles1/file/fm-mos-noti-01-06-2018.pdf|archivedate=1 June 2018|accessdate=1 June 2018|publisher=Cabinet division}}</ref>

== Key Contributions & Achievements ==
During her tenure. she had undertaken several policy and legislative initiatives to achieve the vision of knowledge based economy. She spearheaded formulation of Telecom Sector Policy 2015<ref>{{Cite web|last=APP|date=2016-01-19|title=Telecom policy launched|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1233848|access-date=2020-08-17|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref> to address emerging trends in the sector. She envisioned availability of universal, affordable and quality telecommunication services provided through open and competitive markets for the benefit of people. In 2017, Anusha Rahman received the "Government Leadership Award" <ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-01|title=Pakistan wins 'Government Leadership Award' at GLOMO 2017|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1342655/pakistan-wins-government-leadership-award-glomo-2017|access-date=2020-08-17|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}}</ref> 2017 for flagship policy project "Telecom policy 2015". She pioneered the e-Governance<ref>{{Cite web|title=E-governance System Introduced In 25 Ministries, Divisions: Anusha|url=https://pakistanpoint.com/s/19734|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Pakistan Point}}</ref> initiative in Pakistan with an objective of increasing overall public administration efficiency, enhancing transparency,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Zubair|date=2016-08-29|title=E-governance model is upgraded in 25 Pakistani ministries, says Anusha Rehman|url=https://pakwired.com/e-governance-model-is-upgraded-in-25-pakistani-ministries-says-anusha-rehman/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=PakWired|language=en-US}}</ref> improving citizens’ access to services and enhancing their participation in democratic governance processes. Her leadership and apt policy interventions have also led Pakistan to be among top five nations in terms of freelancing in IT products globally. The export of IT and ITES increased<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haq|first=Riaz|title=State Bank: Pakistan IT Exports Surge to Pass Billion Dollars in 2018|url=http://www.riazhaq.com/2018/08/state-bank-pakistan-it-exports-surge-to.html|access-date=2020-08-17|language=en}}</ref> by over 380% during five years of her tenure.

In 2015, Rehman was awarded "GEM-TECH Global Achievers 2015" award by [[UN Women]] and the [[International Telecommunication Union]] in recognition of her work to empower women through technology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UN honours IT Minister Anusha Rahman with 'Global Achievers 2015' award – The Express Tribune|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1010274/it-minister-anusha-rahman-recognised-as-global-achiever-by-un/|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215205241/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1010274/it-minister-anusha-rahman-recognised-as-global-achiever-by-un/|archivedate=15 February 2016|access-date=12 February 2016|website=The Express Tribune|language=en-US|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Mobile Broadband, Pakistan was awarded “Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Award 2015 “at the prestigious Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona under the leadership of Anusha Rahman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ali|first=Suliman|date=2015-03-06|title=New Avenues for Pakistan at MWC Barcelona|url=http://www.highway.pk/2015/03/new-avenues-pakistan-mwc-barcelona/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Highway.pk|language=en-US}}</ref> Pakistan was awarded for successfully auctioning spectrum for 3G/4G services in the 850 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands in 2014, and thereafter the rapid uptake of 3G /4Gservices in the country where broadband which was less than 3% in 2013 went up to over 40 % today. She added that “The award of GSMA Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Award for 2015 to Pakistan is an indication of the global community reposing its trust in the Telecommunication Sector policy practices of the Government of Pakistan”<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-03-03|title=Pakistan clinches Spectrum for Mobile Broadband Award 2015|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/847230/pakistan-clinches-spectrum-for-mobile-broadband-award-2015|access-date=2020-08-17|website=The Express Tribune|language=en}}</ref>

On Dec 2015, Anusha Rahman being the first women ICT Minister of Pakistan, introduced the program for girls referred as “ICTs for Girls” <ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-12-01|title=Pakistan Launches 'ICTs for Girls' Project in Collaboration with Microsoft|url=https://www.phoneworld.com.pk/pakistan-launches-icts-for-girls-project-in-collaboration-with-microsoft/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=PhoneWorld|language=en-US}}</ref> for promoting inclusiveness and empowerment of girls/ young women to enable them contribute to and benefit from the value chain of ICTs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=ITU|date=2018-03-07|title=How Pakistan is empowering women and Girls in ICT|url=https://news.itu.int/how-pakistan-is-promoting-women-and-girls-in-ict/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=ITU News|language=english}}</ref> This program was designed to provide access to ICT infrastructure and tools, customized ICT education for specific skill development and the job market. As part of this program, tens of thousands of girls and women from disadvantaged segments of society have been provided digital infrastructure and digital skills with state of art machines in fully broadband supported environments. Microsoft has partnered to design, develop and train teachers on the “4 Cs” for skills education including: coding, computing, coaching and communication.

In July 2016, Pakistan’s first largest National Incubation Center<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-07-20|title=Jazz inaugurates National Incubation Center in Islamabad|url=https://www.techjuice.pk/jazz-inaugurates-national-incubation-center/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=TechJuice|language=en-US}}</ref> was envisioned and launched under the leadership of Anusha through a public-private partnership of Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom, Ignite (Formerly National ICT R&D Fund) and Teamup. The NIC was structured to provide startups with a free of cost workspace, incubation, acceleration – Jazz xlr8 program – seed funds, and access to 50 million plus mobile 2016 customers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-17|title=MoIT, Jazz & Ignite launch National Incubation Cente|url=https://fundooding.com/ignite_latest/moit-jazz-ignite-formerly-national-ict-rd-fund-launch-national-incubation-cente/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=Ignite|language=en-US}}</ref> On July 20, 2016 at the launch, Anusha Rehman, Minister of State for IT & Telecom – Pakistan said, “The launch of the National Incubation Center is an important milestone in the Government of Pakistan’s digital agenda. I would like to appreciate the efforts of all our partners who have made this possible. I wish all the startups joining the National Innovation Center the very best in achieving their dreams, they are our future.” She led this ecosystem of entrepreneurship and expanded National Incubation Centers across Pakistan; Peshawar,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-14|title=PM inaugurates National Incubation Centre in Peshawar|url=https://nation.com.pk/14-Jan-2018/pm-inaugurates-national-incubation-centre-in-peshawar|access-date=2020-08-17|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref> Karachi,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wafa|first=Sana|date=2018-05-11|title=Prime Minister Abbasi launches National Incubation Center Karachi|url=https://www.nickarachi.com/prime-minister-abbasi-launches-national-incubation-center-karachi/|access-date=2020-08-17|website=National Incubation Center Karachi|language=en-US}}</ref> Lahore<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-12-24|title=Anusha inaugurates National Incubation Centre at LUMS|url=https://nation.com.pk/24-Dec-2017/anusha-inaugurates-national-incubation-centre-at-lums|access-date=2020-08-17|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref> and Quetta.

In order to prepare the youth and the future workforce which is equipped with fourth industrial revolution,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-05|title=Digi Skills plan to equip youth with skills: Anusha|url=https://nation.com.pk/05-Feb-2018/digi-skills-plan-to-equip-youth-with-skills-anusha|access-date=2020-08-17|website=The Nation|language=en}}</ref> Anusha Rahman launched a "DigiSkills" Program in Feb 2018 to Prepare One Million Freelancers in Pakistan. The programme was aimed at equipping the youth, freelancers, students, professionals, etc. with knowledge, skills, tools & techniques necessary to seize opportunities available internationally in online job market places and also locally. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated<ref>{{Cite web|last=Siddiqui|first=Sophia|title=PM Inaugurates DigiSkills Program to Prepare One Million Freelancers in Pakistan|url=https://propakistani.pk/2018/02/01/pm-inaugurates-digiskills-program-prepare-one-million-freelances-pakistan/|access-date=2020-08-17|language=en-US}}</ref> the Digi Skills program aimed at training one million of the youth through online modules which successfully completed its scope.

Later on February 15, 2019, The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) has appointed<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Pakistani Minister Anusha Rahman Khan appointed regional advisor to the CTO for the East and South Asia Region - CTO: Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation|url=https://www.cto.int/news/former-pakistani-minister-anusha-rahman-khan-appointed-regional-advisor-to-the-cto-for-the-east-and-south-asia-region/|access-date=2020-08-17|language=en-US}}</ref> Anusha Rahman Khan, as the regional advisor to the secretary-general and the CTO for the East and South Asia region.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Sharif III Cabinet}}
{{Abbasi Cabinet}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anusha, Rahman}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Pakistan Muslim League (N) politicians]]
[[Category:Nawaz Sharif administration]]
[[Category:Pakistani lawyers]]
[[Category:Pakistani women lawyers]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 2008–2013]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 2013–2018]]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Women members of the National Assembly of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Federal ministers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Women federal ministers of Pakistan]]

Anusha Rahman - Revision history

NoraBillings: further reworked lead and corrected details

->BD2412: Missing space after ref tag., replaced: /ref>O → /ref> O