Pakistan is accelerating its drive to become a “Digital Nation,” prioritising IT expansion, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Sunday.
She noted that the country has already attracted over US$700 million in international digital investments.
Speaking to participants at the National Defence University’s 27th National Security Workshop, Khawaja stated that Pakistan’s economic security, strategic stability, and international competitiveness now heavily depend on the digital sector.
Parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, journalists, and members of civil society came together for the workshop.
Khawaja listed the government’s main projects, which include 43 Software Technology Parks, 85 incubators, eight National Incubation Centers, two CEGA centers, more than 400 tech companies operating inside converted malls, and support for more than 4,100 startups through international partnerships with the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Germany, and Jordan.
She also highlighted important national initiatives including the Prime Minister’s Cloud Programme, DigiSkills 3.0, which is training 4.3 million Pakistanis, the Pakistan Startup Fund, BridgeStart, which sends Pakistani companies to international accelerators, and the SkillTech Initiative.
Additional reforms include TikTok’s STEM Feed, Meta’s AI-in-Urdu project, revamped IT and AI curricula, and a semiconductor program that trains 7,200 workers.
Pakistan has taken part in international events such as GITEX Global 2025, WAIC Shanghai, LEAP Riyadh, the DCO General Assembly in Amman, and the AI for Good Summit in Geneva.
Khawaja added that Google has completed the formalities to open its office in Pakistan and has signed an MoU to support national digital-skills development.
The minister also commended Pakistan’s cybersecurity performance during Marka-e-Haq, attributing the success to coordinated efforts between the armed forces, the government, and the private sector under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir.
Khawaja concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to building a secure, modern, and globally competitive digital nation.