Five things to know about Salman Dar, Apple's first head of govt affairs for Pakistan
Apple has appointed Salman Dar as its first head of government affairs for Pakistan, a move that signals a growing engagement between the global tech giant and the South Asian nation. This appointment is considered a significant development as Pakistan aims to strengthen its digital economy and attract more participation from international technology companies. Here are five key things to know…
1. Salman Dar has been named Apple's first head of government affairs for Pakistan, a newly created position tasked with strengthening Apple's engagement with regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders in the country. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, welcomed the appointment and noted that the government has been working with Apple for the past two years.
2. Before joining Apple, Dar held the position of CEO at Itroos, an IT company co-founded in 2014. This experience provided him with a firsthand understanding of the operational aspects and challenges within the technology sector, allowing him to bridge the gap between private-sector expertise and policy-making.
3. Dar also served as a leader within Pakistan's Software Industry Association, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA). In this role, he engaged with the country's IT and software industry, focusing on policy and regulatory issues. His LinkedIn post about leaving the Central Executive Committee highlighted his work on taxation, foreign-currency retention, and other technology-related policy matters.
4. With over 30 years of experience in both local and international technology markets, Dar is a seasoned expert in navigating complex industry landscapes and engaging with government policy. His background has already involved working with the government on policy issues impacting the IT industry, making him well-suited for his new role.
5. The appointment of Dar symbolizes Apple's deeper engagement with Pakistan, moving beyond being merely a market for its products. This move comes as the Pakistani government actively encourages global tech companies to invest, establish local manufacturing, and contribute more robustly to the country's digital economy. Following his appointment, Apple began offering Apple TV and Apple Arcade services at no additional cost to iCloud+ subscribers in Pakistan, further demonstrating their growing presence in the country.
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