ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed what he described as around $700 million in new foreign investment pledges in the information technology sector, urging international stakeholders to continue supporting Pakistan’s journey as it is ready to lead the global digital economy.

Addressing the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI-2025) conference, PM Shehbaz declared: “Pakistan is not waiting for the future, but shaping it.”

The conference, attended by global tech leaders, investors and innovation champions, marked a significant step in Pakistan’s emergence as a key player in the global digital economy.

PM Shehbaz, in his inaugural keynote address, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to positioning Pakistan as the next major tech destination in the world. “Our youth, aged between 15 and 30, constitute 60 per cent of the population. They are the architects of our digital future,” he said.

Reaffirms commitment to position Pakistan as next major tech destination at digital FDI conference

The premier highlighted the government’s strategic initiatives, including the launch of federal and provincial IT parks, incubation centres and a large-scale R&D ecosystem.

He announced a new partnership with global technology giant Huawei, which will train 200,000 boys and girls annually through a joint skill development programme. He said that in March this year, Pakistan received a record $4.1 billion in foreign remittances, signalling growing trust in the country’s digital potential.

“We’re not just building a digital economy — we’re creating a digital Pakistan. From transforming agriculture through AI to expanding exports with smart technology, this is the moment for global investors to join us,” he said.

In her address, Minister for Information Technology and Tele­com­munication Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted Pakistan’s exponential growth in IT exports, an evolving regulatory landscape, and the development of a robust digital infrastructure.

Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, praised Pakistan’s ambition and innovation.

“This is a historic moment where ambition, innovation and opportunity converge. Digital transformation is now a revolution, not a trend and with 142 million broadband subscribers, 65pc smartphone penetration and IT exports poised to exceed $4bn, the country is primed for digital acceleration,” she said.

Pakistan Software Export Board CEO Abu Bakar said that IT exports were set to exceed $4bn this year — a testament to public-private collaboration and national talent.

Investment in dairy

Separately, the prime minister also met a delegation led by Jan Derck van Karnebeek, Global CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina and Engro Pakistan, who expressed an interest in increasing investment in Pakistan’s livestock and dairy sector.

He said that Pakistan would collaborate with companies like Friesland­Campina for the development of the dairy sector, encouraging steps to enhance the safety and nutrition of milk in order to boost dairy exports.

The sustainable development of the dairy industry and improving the livelihoods of farmers are among our top priorities, PM Office Media Wing, in a press release, quoted the prime minister as saying.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025