Khawar Khan
Dubai: Pakistan’s IT prowess took center stage at “Pakistan Night,” a high-profile networking event organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
The event brought together key government figures, business leaders, and international stakeholders to highlight Pakistan’s growing role in the global digital economy.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended as chief guest, alongside Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce; Dr. Sohail Munir, Chairman of the Pakistan Digital Authority; Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman P@SHA; H.E. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai; and Brigadier Syed Nadir Hussain Shah from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Senior diplomats, Emirati officials, and exhibitors from GITEX Global 2025 were also present.
In his opening remarks, Trade Counsellor Ali Zeb Khan emphasized the role of such platforms in promoting Pakistan’s IT exports and strengthening its image as a competitive digital hub.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, highlighted the country’s vast digital potential, expressing confidence that IT exports could expand from the current USD 4 billion to USD 100 billion with sustained innovation and investment. He commended the Ministry of IT’s efforts to advance digital transformation and enhance Pakistan’s international visibility.
Speaking at the event, Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan noted that the IT industry remains Pakistan’s fastest-growing sector, maintaining an average annual growth rate of around 20%.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing the IT ecosystem, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, and data processing. She lauded the role of initiatives like Ignite in enabling startups to access global markets.
The Minister also commended Ambassador Tirmizi for his efforts in strengthening Pakistan-UAE economic and technological cooperation during his tenure.
