Report. Rana Azeem (Riyadh): Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital investment and economic growth as Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, addressed the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) General Assembly in Amman, Jordan. During her speech, she highlighted Pakistan’s leadership in championing the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Initiative, a joint effort between Pakistan, the DCO, and the World Economic Forum (WEF). This initiative, set to launch in April 2025, will be piloted in Pakistan and expanded globally to help countries develop policy frameworks and investment strategies for the digital economy.
Minister Khawaja emphasized Pakistan’s rapid 27% annual growth in the tech sector and the recent introduction of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, a comprehensive framework designed to digitize the economy, governance, and society. She underscored the government’s commitment to creating a digital-first economy, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif personally leading the National Digital Commission to drive the initiative forward. A key component of this transformation is the development of Pakistan Stack, a national digital infrastructure aimed at establishing digital identities, streamlining governance, and fostering a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital ecosystem. The initiative follows a multi-stakeholder consultative process to identify priority areas that will enhance private sector participation, investor confidence, and human capital development in the digital space.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja also highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in attracting foreign investment by ensuring policy stability and regulatory support for the digital sector.
As part of this initiative, Pakistan will host the first-ever Digital FDI Summit in Islamabad on April 29-30, 2025. This event will bring together global investors, policymakers, and technology leaders to explore Pakistan’s growing digital economy and investment opportunities. Minister Khawaja extended a formal invitation to international stakeholders, urging them to participate in this landmark event and collaborate on shaping the future of digital investment. She also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to digital transformation, positioning the country as a premier destination for foreign direct investment in the tech sector.
