The Tech Advisory Forum and Allied Bank Limited, in collaboration with Ignite, the National Technology Fund and Pakistan Single Window, hosted the inaugural TAF-ABL Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards 2026, bringing together government leaders, technology innovators, development partners, academics and industry representatives to recognize achievements in public sector digital transformation. The event highlighted the growing role digital solutions are playing in improving governance, expanding inclusion and modernizing public service delivery across the country.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja attended as chief guest and presented awards to the winners, with the ceremony also drawing development partners, digital sector experts, policymakers and industry leaders, along with public and private sector digital officials from countries under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program. Awards were presented across a wide range of categories, including AI Innovation, Project Implementation, Public Private Collaboration, EdTech Innovation, Digital Skills, Climate Technology, Data Innovation, Interoperability, Citizen Experience, Health Technology, FinTech, Regional Connectivity and Adaptive Leadership. The event also featured a presentation of Pakistan’s AI Readiness Report, developed with support from the Asian Development Bank through extensive consultation with public and private sector stakeholders, offering insight into the country’s preparedness for adopting artificial intelligence to support economic growth and public sector modernization.
Among the evening’s notable honourees, the Federal Board of Revenue received recognition for its revenue reform transformation work and for CAREC Regional Connectivity Innovation, while the Ministry of Education was honoured for its Connected Classrooms System. Pakistan Single Window received the Data Innovation of the Year award for its digital platform automating cross border trade processes through integrated, data driven services. NADRA was recognized across multiple categories for its Pakistan E-Visa System, Pak ID Citizen Experience initiative and e-Sahulat platform, while the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority was honoured for its Electronic Government Procurement e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System. The Adaptive Leadership of the Year award went to Pakistan Single Window Chief Executive Officer Syed Aftab Haider for his role in leading the platform’s implementation, and the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education was recognized for its Departure from Pencil to Pixel initiative, among other award winning projects spanning education technology, climate resilience, healthcare, digital trade and financial inclusion.
Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja was named Digital Visionary of the Year for her leadership on the Digital Nation Pakistan initiative and the country’s AI Policy, while Allied Bank Limited Chief Executive Officer Aizid Razzaq Gill received the Digital Transformation Patron of the Year award. Speaking at the event, Khawaja said digital transformation has moved beyond being a purely technology focused agenda, describing it instead as a broader national development priority that improves government efficiency, strengthens service delivery, supports economic growth and expands opportunities for citizens. The inaugural awards ceremony concluded with organizers reaffirming their commitment to continued innovation and collaboration among stakeholders working to advance Pakistan’s digital governance agenda going forward.
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