Pakistan has outlined an extensive Digital Sector Roadmap through MoITT and Ignite in partnership with ADB, marking a detailed framework aimed at supporting the national digital transformation agenda. The initiative brings forward a structured plan designed to strengthen infrastructure, governance, economic activity and digital participation across the country. Alongside the roadmap, the two day engagement also highlighted the achievements of participants in the AI Wrapper Competition 2025, which demonstrated how the National AI Policy 2025 is transitioning into applied initiatives. With government, academia and industry stakeholders present, the engagements focused on AI, innovation and long term planning for Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
The national workshop held as part of the engagement brought together experts from varied fields to co develop AI use cases that respond to major national priorities. These areas included health, education, agriculture, finance and governance, with contributors refining ideas intended to support more effective service delivery and policy development. The insights and recommendations collected during the workshop will be incorporated into the development of the upcoming National AI Innovation Hub. The Hub is envisioned as a nationwide platform that expands applied AI research, supports commercialization, strengthens entrepreneurship and builds digital capacity. According to MoITT, the Hub is expected to provide structured support for AI driven projects and contribute to building a more prepared talent pipeline.
During the launch of the Digital Sector Roadmap, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized that the roadmap aligns with the broader vision for a Digital Nation Pakistan. She noted that the plan is intended to foster a more connected and competitive environment by reinforcing the role of technology across multiple sectors. The ten year roadmap is structured around four primary pillars which include Digital Infrastructure, Digital Economy, Digital Governance and Digital Society. It is aligned with Uraan Pakistan 2024 to 2029 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025. MoITT highlighted that the roadmap offers clarity on future direction and identifies strategic areas that require sustained focus for Pakistan to expand its digital capabilities.
The AI Wrapper Competition 2025 stood out as another focal point of the event. More than 1,700 teams representing 106 cities participated, with 33 percent female representation, showcasing the reach of AI interest across Pakistan. The competition covered five key themes which included EdTech, HealthTech, Climate and AgriTech, GovTech and FinTech. Winners were awarded a combined prize of PKR 8.7 million for presenting AI based solutions that addressed national level challenges. The Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication congratulated the winning teams and stated that the competition reflects the goals of the National AI Policy 2025 by encouraging responsible and creative AI development. Ignite CEO Rafique A Buriro added that initiatives such as the competition and the forthcoming AI Innovation Hub will contribute significantly to enabling collaboration between researchers, startups and public sector organizations for applied AI.
ADB’s Director of the Digital Sector Office, Dr. Antonio García Zaballos, expressed support for the roadmap, stating that it provides a structured direction for inclusive and innovation oriented digital growth. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to executing the National AI Policy 2025 and establishing the National AI Innovation Hub, adding that continued collaboration with partners remains essential for advancing toward a knowledge based digital economy.
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