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ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja Sunday said that Pakistan is working to strengthen its IT industry, expand exports, and build a “Digital Nation” based on a digital economy, digital society and digital governance.
She was speaking at the 27th National Security Workshop at the National Defence University (NDU) on the topic “Pakistan’s IT Potential: Opportunities and Challenges.” She said the country’s digital progress is supported by three key areas: telecom, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
The minister was invited by the Director General of ISSRA to address participants at the Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA). The session was attended by members of national and provincial assemblies, entrepreneurs, journalists and civil society representatives.
Shaza said Pakistan’s digital sector has become a core asset for economic security, strategic stability and global competitiveness. She added that the Prime Minister, the Federal Cabinet, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and senior leadership are fully backing the digital transformation agenda.
She said federal and provincial governments, industry, universities and international partners are working together to build an inclusive and future-ready digital ecosystem.
The minister highlighted the strengthening of the digital infrastructure, including 43 Software Technology Parks, repurposed malls hosting over 400 tech companies, and a nationwide network of 85 incubators. Pakistan’s startup ecosystem has also grown rapidly, with more than 4,100 startups supported, eight National Incubation Centres, two CEGA centres, and strong international participation from the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Germany and Jordan.
She pointed to recent achievements such as the Pakistan Startup Fund, which offers equity-free grants with the Ministry contributing up to 30 per cent of each round. Under the BridgeStart programme, 13 startups have been sent to international accelerators.
Other major initiatives include the Prime Minister’s Cloud Programme, DigiSkills 3.0, aimed at training 4.3 million Pakistanis, and the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Initiative.
She also outlined national reforms, including updated HEC curricula for IT and AI, a semiconductor programme to train 7,200 chip design professionals, TikTok’s STEM Feed, and Meta’s AI-in-Urdu project.
She announced that Google has completed all formal requirements to open its office in Pakistan, calling it a major milestone for the IT sector. The Ministry of IT and Google have also signed an MoU for advanced digital skills and training to enhance the capabilities of Pakistani talent.
The minister underscored recent innovation-focused events such as the AI Wrapper Competition, Cybersecurity Hackathon, and Ignite-funded projects, including WISE Lab, Code4AI and SAP-based training.
Internationally, Pakistan presented its digital vision at major global forums, including WAIC Shanghai, LEAP Riyadh, the DCO General Assembly in Amman, the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, and GITEX Global 2025, securing over US$700 million in digital investments.
Referring to Marka-e-Haq, she said the country’s victory reflected national unity and technological strength. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the armed forces, government institutions, and the private sector worked together to strengthen cyber defences.
She said Pakistani cybersecurity experts performed exceptionally and demonstrated the country’s capability on the global stage. Shaza Fatima reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to become a modern, secure and globally competitive digital nation.