Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja addressed participants at the 27th National Security Workshop hosted by ISSRA at the National Defence University, detailing a comprehensive agenda to advance Digital Pakistan as a pillar of economic security and strategic resilience.
The minister described the digital sector as a foundational asset for national competitiveness and said Digital Pakistan is being advanced through two national frameworks: TechDestination Pakistan to grow the IT industry and exports, and Digital Nation Pakistan to strengthen the digital economy, society and governance. Telecom, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence were identified as cross-cutting domains underpinning both efforts.
Highlighting concrete progress, she noted the expansion of infrastructure with 43 Software Technology Parks, repurposed malls now hosting over 400 tech companies, and a nationwide network of 85 incubators. The startup ecosystem has supported more than 4,100 ventures, backed by 8 National Incubation Centers and 2 CEGA centers, with Pakistani startups gaining presence across the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, KSA, Azerbaijan, Germany and Jordan.
On funding and support, the minister pointed to the Pakistan Startup Fund offering equity-free grants with MoITT contributing up to 30% of individual rounds, and programs like BridgeStart that have sent 13 startups to international accelerators. National initiatives such as the Prime Minister Cloud Program, DigiSkills 3.0 which has trained 4.3 million Pakistanis, and the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Initiative are being scaled to build talent for Digital Pakistan.
Reforms in education and industry were also underscored, including updated HEC IT and AI curricula and a semiconductor initiative training 7,200 chip-design professionals. Partnerships with global platforms were cited as well, including TikTok’s STEM Feed, Meta’s AI-in-Urdu program, and the announcement that Google has completed registration to open an office in Pakistan alongside a dedicated MoU for advanced digital skills and capacity building.
The minister highlighted innovation programs such as the AI Wrapper Competition, a Cybersecurity Hackathon, and new Ignite-funded efforts including WISE Lab, Code4AI and SAP-based training. She noted Pakistan’s active presence at WAIC Shanghai, LEAP Riyadh, the DCO General Assembly in Amman, AI for Good in Geneva and GITEX Global 2025, securing more than US$700 million in digital investments through bilateral and multilateral engagements.
Referring to Marka-e-Haq, she said the recent national operation demonstrated unity and technological strength under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, with government agencies, the three armed forces and private cyber experts joining forces. The Ministry of IT, PTA and military cyber teams together strengthened the country’s defences and showcased Pakistan’s cybersecurity capabilities on the global stage.
The minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to a secure, modern and globally competitive Digital Pakistan, calling for continued collaboration between federal and provincial governments, industry, academia and international partners to sustain momentum and translate digital potential into broad-based economic gains.
