Islamabad, Pakistan: The final competition of URAAN AI Techathon 1.0 was successfully held on 10 February in Islamabad, bringing together young innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers to spotlight practical artificial intelligence solutions developed by teams from across the country. The event took place under the leadership of Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, and formed part of the broader activities of Indus AI Week, which continues to promote collaboration between government, academia, and the technology industry to strengthen Pakistan’s digital and innovation ecosystem.
The techathon served as a national platform for participants to demonstrate AI driven ideas addressing real world challenges, with projects spanning automation, analytics, and intelligent systems tailored for local use cases. As Industry Partner, PASHA played a central role throughout the program, managing the process from initial screenings to the final round of evaluations. The association ensured that submissions were reviewed through a structured and transparent framework, enabling fair recognition of merit and technical depth. This hands on involvement helped maintain quality standards and provided participating teams with exposure to experienced professionals who understand both market expectations and technology trends. The presence of industry leadership also underscored the importance of connecting emerging talent with commercial pathways and mentorship.
PASHA CEC Member Mr. Sheikh Abdul Qadir actively led the judging process during the final stage and attended the grand finale, offering expert feedback and guidance to teams presenting their solutions. His participation reflected PASHA’s continued commitment to nurturing Pakistan’s AI ecosystem and supporting initiatives that identify and encourage promising developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. During the ceremony, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary presented a commemorative shield to Mr. Sheikh Abdul Qadir in recognition of PASHA’s leadership and contributions toward the successful execution of URAAN AI Techathon 1.0. The moment highlighted the value of coordinated efforts between public institutions and industry bodies in delivering programs that can translate ideas into practical outcomes. The acknowledgement also reinforced the government’s focus on building partnerships that enable structured innovation rather than isolated experimentation.
The initiative was organized by Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives with support from Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan and Ignite National Technology Fund, both of which have been actively advancing entrepreneurship and technology development across the country. By bringing together students, startups, mentors, and policymakers under one platform during Indus AI Week, URAAN AI Techathon 1.0 created opportunities for learning, networking, and visibility for emerging AI talent. Organizers extended congratulations to all participating teams and appreciated the coordinated efforts of ministries and partners for delivering a well managed and impactful program. The competition added another milestone to Pakistan’s growing calendar of innovation focused events, demonstrating sustained momentum in developing homegrown AI capabilities and strengthening the country’s technology landscape.
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