PM reveals $700m in digital investment to empower youth

April 30, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has secured a landmark $700 million commitment in Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI), unveiled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed at empowering the nation’s youth and strengthening its role in the global digital economy.

Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day Digital Foreign Direct Investment Forum in Islamabad, the Prime Minister expressed optimism that the pledged investments would accelerate Pakistan’s advancement in Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Pakistan will emerge as a leading force in the IT sector,” he declared, inviting global investors to leverage the country’s vast digital talent and infrastructure.

Highlighting the capabilities of Pakistan's youth, both domestically and internationally, the Prime Minister praised their innovation and energy in the digital space.

He emphasized the government’s focus on developing IT parks, incubation centers, and a comprehensive training ecosystem, as per the press release.

Among the key initiatives is a new collaboration with Chinese technology firm Huawei to provide annual skills training to 200,000 young Pakistanis.

In terms of broader economic indicators, the Prime Minister noted that remittances hit a record $4.1 billion in March, reflecting strong engagement from the overseas community and growing financial confidence in the country’s economic direction.

Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja also shared recent achievements in the tech sector, including a 25% increase in IT exports during the first nine months of the current fiscal year.

She announced ongoing efforts to formulate a national AI policy and emphasized the government’s focus on transitioning to a cashless and inclusive economy through advanced digital public infrastructure.

Khawaja also highlighted robust growth in mobile phone manufacturing, with local production rising 48% over the past year and annual output exceeding 31 million devices.

She credited the government’s digital-first approach for the accelerated digitization of public departments and reiterated its vision for a “digital economy, digital governance, and digital society.”

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