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ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s largest-ever technology festival, Hazara Tech Fiesta 2025, concluded on Sunday at Hazara University Mansehra, marking a major milestone in the region’s academic and digital development.
The three-day event brought together national and international speakers, policymakers, technology experts, youth leaders and thousands of students, making it the largest technology-driven gathering ever hosted by a public sector university in the Hazara region.
The festival was formally inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of Hazara University, who described the Hazara Tech Fiesta as a transformative initiative for students and the wider region. He said the university takes pride in hosting an event that bridges academia with industry and global innovation trends, adding that such platforms are vital for preparing students to compete in an increasingly digital world. He reaffirmed the varsity’s commitment to promoting research, innovation and technology-based education.
Hassan Sajjad Khan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thrive Pakistan, told APP that the successful conclusion of Hazara Tech Fiesta 2025 reflected a shared vision of academia, industry and government to empower youth through technology. He said the festival was initiated to provide equal opportunities for students in regions beyond major urban centres, enabling them to access global knowledge, industry exposure and innovation-driven platforms. He added that the strong participation demonstrated the readiness of Hazara’s youth to lead Pakistan’s digital future with the right guidance and ecosystem.
A strong international presence was witnessed during the festival, with representatives from Resecurity, a globally recognised cybersecurity and intelligence company, playing a key role. Sharafat Khan, Managing Director of Resecurity Pakistan, along with Haris Qureshi, representative of Resecurity Pakistan, addressed participants and highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital intelligence in today’s interconnected world. They noted that Pakistan’s youth possess immense potential to contribute to the global cybersecurity ecosystem if provided with proper exposure and opportunities.
Prominent political and public figures also attended the event, including senior political leader Kamal Saleem Swati, who lauded the organisers for holding a technology festival of such scale in Hazara. He said initiatives like the Hazara Tech Fiesta were essential for steering youth towards productive, future-oriented career paths and emphasised that technology-driven youth engagement is crucial for sustainable economic growth.
Shahzada Muhammad Gushtasap Khan, Member of the National Assembly, attended the event as chief guest and termed the Hazara Tech Fiesta a landmark achievement for the region. He said the scale and diversity of the festival reflected Hazara’s emergence as an important hub for technology, education and innovation, and assured his full support for future initiatives focused on digital skills, entrepreneurship and modern education.
Speaking at the concluding session, Hassan Nisar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Metrix Pakistan, said the overwhelming response to Hazara Tech Fiesta 2025 highlighted the untapped potential of youth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the festival was not merely an event but a movement to connect young people with technology, innovation and global opportunities, adding that Metrix Pakistan remained committed to building sustainable ecosystems for students, startups and professionals.
Organisers said the festival featured conferences, panel discussions, exhibitions, workshops, hackathons, career and job fairs, along with sessions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and digital careers. They noted that the participation of national and international experts, coupled with strong institutional and government support, made the event a defining moment in the history of Hazara University and the wider region.