The HBL P@SHA CXO Meetup in Karachi brought together senior industry leaders, policymakers and government officials to map concrete steps for accelerating IT exports and Pakistan’s digital transformation.
Ali Rashid, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh on Information Technology, attended as chief guest and said the provincial leadership views the IT sector as a core pillar of economic growth. He pledged that Sindh will prioritise resolving industry challenges and work closely with P@SHA and local tech firms to push digitisation and e-governance across provincial departments.
Faisal Jeddy, CEO of the Pakistan Software Export Board, delivered the keynote and announced a notable policy change: foreign companies can now open Roshan Digital Accounts, a move expected to simplify international client relationships and payments. Jeddy said PSEB is drafting a joint strategy with P@SHA to expand IT exports, adding that the board will promote world-class infrastructure through IT parks and facilitate software houses to compete globally.
The discussion repeatedly returned to creating true Ease of Doing Business for companies and freelancers so local firms can win more international contracts. PSEB reiterated its commitment to raise industry proposals at the highest government levels for timely policy action.
Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman P@SHA, underlined the urgency of adopting next-generation technologies, noting that without widespread AI adoption and 5G infrastructure Pakistan will struggle to remain competitive. He also highlighted the industry’s willingness to advise on the government’s ambitious AI initiatives, including planned large-scale projects aimed at strengthening the local tech ecosystem.
The Secretary of Information Technology for Sindh stressed that youth need targeted skills and hands-on technology training aligned with global market requirements rather than purely academic credentials, a point attendees said is essential for scaling IT exports.
Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, reflected on the association’s achievements over the past 18 months and the momentum those wins provide for export growth. Industry engagement Co-Chair Munaf Majeed emphasised sustained liaison between government and the private sector to resolve operational barriers facing software companies.
Speakers also called for the rapid completion of Special Technology Zones to support the Made-in-Pakistan initiative. Khushnood Aftab said accelerating STZ development is vital to provide competitive infrastructure that attracts clients and investment, which in turn will boost IT exports and create higher-value jobs across the province.
Participants left the meetup with a clearer roadmap: deepen collaboration between P@SHA and government bodies, fast-track infrastructure projects like IT parks and STZs, expand facilitation measures such as RDAs, and scale skills programmes so Pakistani firms and freelancers can capture more global opportunities in software and AI.
