ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan stands at the threshold of a digital economic transformation, bolstered by over $700 million in investment pledges made at the country’s first Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum.
Addressing top executives from global and local IT and tech firms at the forum in Islamabad, the prime minister praised the growing investor confidence in Pakistan’s digital potential. “Pakistan is poised for a significant leap in the digital economy,” Sharif said, adding that the country aims to become a regional hub for technology, innovation, and financial services.
The forum, attended by key players in the global tech industry, saw several major investment commitments. These included a $500 million pledge from Jabbar Rahim Khan of Russoft, $100 million from Taha Naseem and Ahsan Jamil of sAi Venture Capital, $30 million from Fernando Morillo and Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad of Mashreq Bank, and $22 million from Belal Kemal Faruki of Mindhyve.ai.
Sharif credited these developments to ongoing regulatory reforms, fiscal incentives, and targeted investments in digital infrastructure. He stated that Pakistan’s government is actively pursuing a future-focused strategy aimed at digitizing the economy, fostering innovation, and generating employment for the country’s youth.
“Through a combination of policy reform, talent development, and digital infrastructure expansion, we are ready to unlock Pakistan’s potential in the digital age,” Sharif noted.
He emphasized the government’s efforts to train young people in digital skills and create an environment where startups and established tech firms can thrive. “Our youth are our greatest asset. We are equipping them with skills in artificial intelligence, data science, and other emerging technologies,” he said.
The prime minister also expressed keen interest in collaborating with international partners to establish centres of excellence in digital education and innovation, particularly in AI, fintech, and cloud computing.
Sharif pledged full support to both local and foreign investors, assuring that their ventures would be facilitated through a transparent and enabling regulatory environment.
Officials said the DFDI Forum would become an annual fixture to attract global capital into Pakistan’s rapidly expanding digital landscape. With investor interest and government support aligned, Pakistan’s journey toward becoming a digital powerhouse appears to be gaining momentum.
