Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed around $700 million pledges in new foreign investment in the IT sector and called on international stakeholders to continue supporting Pakistan's journey as it was ready to lead global digital economy.
The prime minister addressed the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI-2025) Conference here, declaring that 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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his inaugural keynote address, shared insights from his four decades in public service, observing the "sea change in global dynamics driven by digital transformation."
He 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% of the population. They are the architects of our digital future," said the prime minister.
He highlighted the government's strategic initiatives including the launch of federal and provincial IT parks, incubation centers, 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 program.
He said that in March this year, Pakistan received a record-breaking $4.1 billion in foreign remittances, signaling growing trust in the country's digital potential.
"We're not just building a digital economywe'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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also invited the world to invest, guide, and grow with with Pakistan. Together, we will make Pakistan a leading light in the digital era," he added.
Separately, the premier on Tuesday directed the relevant authorities to immediately initiate work on the feasibility of a railway link between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
He issued these directives during a meeting with Kazakhstan's Minister for Transport, Marat Karabayev, at the PM's House.
During the meeting, the prime minister extended his best wishes to the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and recalled his productive interaction with him during the World Water Summit held in Saudi Arabia.
He expressed keen anticipation for President Tokayev's upcoming visit to Pakistan, describing it as an important step towards strengthening bilateral ties.
The prime minister said that the proposed railway link would be a "game-changer" for the entire region, as it would connect the Central Asian States directly to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, enhancing trade routes and economic opportunities.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ