Pakistan elevates digital sector to national security priority

November 17, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has formally placed its digital sector at the centre of its national security and economic resilience strategy, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told participants of the 27th National Security Workshop at the National Defence University (NDU).

Addressing legislators, entrepreneurs, journalists and civil society representatives, she said the country’s technology roadmap is now directly aligned with long-term national stability and global competitiveness.

The Minister explained that the federal and provincial governments, the Special Investment Facilitation Council, industry, academia and international partners are jointly working on a unified digital transformation agenda.

This, she said, reflects a shift in policy where Pakistan’s digital capabilities, ranging from cybersecurity to talent development, are treated as strategic assets.

Shaza Fatima outlined Pakistan’s national digital framework built on two pillars: Tech-Destination Pakistan, aimed at strengthening the IT industry and expanding exports; and Digital Nation Pakistan, focused on digital economy, digital society and digital governance.

These pillars are supported by telecom, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence as cross-cutting domains.

She cited measurable progress in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, including 43 Software Technology Parks, repurposed malls hosting over 400 tech companies and a national network of 85 incubators.

The startup sector has also widened its footprint, with more than 4,100 startups supported through National Incubation Centers, CEGA centers and global representation across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Germany and Jordan.

Highlighting recent achievements, the Minister said the Pakistan Startup Fund is providing equity-free support, while BridgeStart has facilitated the entry of 13 startups into international accelerators.

Other initiatives include the DigiSkills 3.0 program targeting 4.3 million trainees, the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Initiative, updated IT and AI curricula by the Higher Education Commission and a semiconductor initiative preparing 7,200 chip-design professionals.

Ongoing collaborations, such as TikTok’s STEM Feed and Meta’s AI-in-Urdu program, are contributing to digital capability-building.

She added that Pakistan’s digital vision has been represented at major global platforms, including WAIC Shanghai, LEAP Riyadh, the DCO General Assembly in Amman, the AI for Good Summit in Geneva and GITEX Global 2025, helping secure more than US$700 million in digital sector investments.

Referring to the recent Marka-e-Haq cyber operation, Shaza Fatima said the coordinated performance of Pakistan’s armed forces, government agencies and private cyber experts demonstrated the country’s growing capacity to defend against digital threats.

She said the episode reinforced Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cyber readiness as part of national security.

The Minister concluded that Pakistan aims to build a secure, modern and competitive digital nation through continued reforms, international partnerships and targeted investments in technology.

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