Digital future in focus as experts urge faster tech adoption in Pakistan

Organised by Nutshell Group, under the theme 'Course Correction: Redefining the Direction'

The ninth edition of The Future Summit was held in Karachi on Wednesday, bringing together policymakers, corporate executives, and thought leaders to explore Pakistan’s economic direction, digital transformation, and global positioning.

In a panel on “Intelligence Reimagined: Shaping the Digital Future of Business,” representatives from S&P Global, Jazz, Dawlance, SAP, and VEON discussed how artificial intelligence and data-driven insights are transforming business operations across industries. One participant noted that Pakistan’s digital potential remains “vast but under-activated,” calling for investment in skills and regulatory frameworks to accelerate adoption.

At the S&P Global booth, I had a detailed conversation with product specialists, Abdullah Bin Tahir and Muhammad Yahya, who discussed how their projects have AI capabilities and how the company is "partnered with Anthropic and currently in talks with Alphabet as well".

Thursday’s sessions will focus on sustainability, finance, and strategic policy, including “The Financial Frontier: Reform, Resilience & Renewal,” where executives from Dubai Islamic Bank, Al Meezan Investment, and the Pakistan Stock Exchange will address the evolution of Islamic finance.

When I asked Dubai Islamic Bank about the evolving technology, Muhammad Muzammil further emphasised, "AI is being integrated across the board, throughout the bank and the industry itself".

Read: Population growth, climate change are ‘existential threats’ to Pakistan’s economy: FinMin

Organised by the Nutshell Group, the two-day event runs from November 5th to 6th, under the theme “Course Correction: Redefining the Direction.” The summit features sessions on technology, climate resilience, finance, and geopolitics, highlighting Pakistan’s need for structural reform and sustainable innovation.

The inaugural session featured key government representatives, including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Climate Change Minister Senator Dr Musadik Malik, Privatisation Minister Muhammad Ali, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.

Speakers called for a coordinated policy framework to steer Pakistan toward long-term stability, with a focus on investment, digital inclusion, and responsible governance.

Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President and CEO of the National Bank of Pakistan, during his opening address, said, “The country must embrace reform and rethink growth from the ground up".

Following the inaugural session, international economists and business leaders discussed “From Global Insights to Local Action,” led by Jonathan Ashworth, Global Chief Economist at ACCA. The panel examined trade disruptions, supply chain volatility, and the role of financial innovation in strengthening emerging economies.

Later sessions explored Pakistan’s new growth story, with leaders from Engro, TCS, IFC Pakistan, Mashreq, and Acumen sharing perspectives on sustainable development and corporate responsibility.

The closing session, “The Geopolitical Chessboard: Pakistan at the Strategic Crossroads,” will feature keynotes by Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Dr. Ishrat Husain, and Dr. Moeed Yusuf, focusing on Pakistan’s strategic position amid shifting global power dynamics.

The summit concludes on Thursday evening, with discussions expected to inform policy recommendations and cross-sector collaboration for the coming year.