Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, met with Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, to explore how inclusive technologies can be scaled to better serve the hearing-impaired community across Pakistan. The meeting focused on the potential of digital tools, particularly artificial intelligence, to create more equitable access for people with hearing disabilities.
ConnectHear is a Pakistani startup that provides sign language interpretation services and develops AI-driven solutions aimed at bridging communication barriers for the Deaf community. The platform has gained recognition for enabling real-time sign language support, especially in educational, healthcare, and legal environments, where accessibility often remains limited for people with hearing impairments.
During the meeting, Dhanjee shared insights on the existing gaps in digital accessibility for Deaf users and presented ConnectHear’s current initiatives and technologies designed to address those challenges. These include on-demand video interpretation services, automated AI translation tools, and awareness campaigns to promote sign language literacy and inclusion in digital spaces. She emphasized the importance of integrating accessibility into the national digital policy, ensuring that emerging platforms, apps, and services are usable by individuals with diverse communication needs.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja welcomed the discussion and reaffirmed the government’s vision to leverage technology as a driver of inclusion and empowerment. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to building a digitally inclusive Pakistan where people with disabilities are not sidelined from opportunities due to communication limitations. The Minister acknowledged the significance of ConnectHear’s work and expressed interest in collaborating on initiatives that promote digital equity for underserved communities.
The conversation also explored the role of public-private partnerships in scaling such accessibility-focused innovations, particularly in government-run services and public sector institutions. Dhanjee highlighted the need for official recognition and support of sign language as a fundamental part of inclusive digital policy frameworks.
Both parties agreed on the urgency of incorporating universal design principles into the country’s digital transformation roadmap. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to identifying actionable pathways for collaboration, including exploring regulatory support, capacity building for interpreters, and the introduction of accessibility standards in government-backed digital platforms.
ConnectHear’s engagement with the Ministry reflects a growing recognition of the importance of accessible technology in shaping a more inclusive society. By aligning with national digital development goals, initiatives like ConnectHear are contributing to a future where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand.
