ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Sunday said Pakistan’s digital sector is now a foundational asset for economic security, strategic resilience and global competitiveness.

She was speaking at the 27th National Security Workshop (NSW) at the National Defence University (NDU). The members of national and provincial assemblies, entrepreneurs, journalists and representatives of civil society attended the session.

The minister highlighted strong support from the prime minister, the federal cabinet and the SIFC, reaffirming that digital transformation is now embedded in Pakistan’s national security and economic resilience agenda.

She stressed that federal and provincial governments, industry, academia and international partners are jointly advancing an inclusive and future-ready digital ecosystem.

She cited the strengthening of Pakistan’s digital ecosystem, including 43 software technology parks, repurposed malls now hosting over 400 tech companies, and a nationwide network of 85 incubators supporting innovation.

She said the startup landscape has grown significantly, with 4,100-plus startups supported, eight National Incubation Centres, two Centres of Excellence in Gaming and Animation (CEGA), and strong international representation across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Azerbaijan, Germany, and Jordan.

Referring to Marka-i-Haq, she stated that Pakistan’s victory was a historic demonstration of national unity and technological strength.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the three armed forces, government institutions, and the private sector came together on one platform.

She emphasised that the Ministry of Information Technology, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the forces, and leading private cyber experts jointly strengthened the country’s cyber defences, and Pakistan’s cybersecurity specialists delivered exceptional performance.

She added that this collective success showcased Pakistan’s capabilities on the global stage and reinforced the country’s resolve to continuously enhance its cyber readiness.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2025