Key Takeaways
- Salman Dar has been appointed as Apple's first head of government affairs for Pakistan.
- Dar previously served as CEO of IT company Itroos and held leadership roles at the Pakistan Software Houses Association.
- His appointment marks Apple's deeper engagement with Pakistan's digital economy.
Apple has appointed Salman Dar as its first head of government affairs for Pakistan, a move that signals a significant step in the company's engagement with the South Asian nation.
Dar steps into this newly created position, taking on the responsibility of leading government affairs in Pakistan, which includes supporting Apple’s engagement with regulators, policymakers, and key stakeholders.
The appointment was welcomed by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who noted that the government's engagement with Apple had been ongoing for the past two years.
Prior to joining Apple, Dar served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Itroos, an IT company he co-founded in 2014. His experience in running a technology company provided him with direct insight into the operational aspects and challenges within the sector.
Dar also held leadership positions at the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), where he served on its Central Executive Committee and focused on policy and regulatory issues related to the technology industry.
With around 30 years of experience in both local and international technology markets, Dar possesses significant expertise in navigating complex industry landscapes and engaging with government policy.
His background is crucial for his new role, enabling him to bridge the gap between Apple’s global strategy and Pakistan’s evolving digital environment.
Dar's appointment is seen as evidence of Apple's more formal and deeper engagement with Pakistan, moving beyond merely being a market where its products are sold.
Shortly after his appointment, Apple also began rolling out Apple TV and Apple Arcade services at no extra cost to iCloud+ subscribers in Pakistan, further indicating an expanded presence.
