Govt Appoints Abu Bakar as CEO Pakistan Software Export Board

The Federal Government has appointed Abu Bakar as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), filling a leadership void that persisted for more than two years.

The appointment was finalized after a panel of three candidates was submitted to the federal government, which approved Abu Bakar for the role. The Ministry of IT and Telecom has already issued an official offer letter, confirming the appointment for a term of three years.

Abu Bakar, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in technology and business operations, is the current president of Open Global Pakistan. His extensive career includes leadership roles in various international settings, where he has specialized in digital transformation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and business process improvement. As an Operating Partner at Visible Ventures, he played a crucial role in the growth and success of high-potential startups and scale-ups through his expertise in due diligence and value creation.

The recruitment process for the new CEO began after the position, previously titled Managing Director, was re-advertised on April 7, 2024. A total of 234 applications were received, out of which 16 candidates were shortlisted. After further interviews, six candidates were presented for final consideration during the 59th PSEB Board of Directors meeting held in June. Abu Bakar was selected after careful evaluation.

The leadership position had been vacant since the previous Managing Director’s tenure ended in August 2022. Despite a renaming of the post from Managing Director to CEO, delays in the recruitment process left the PSEB without a permanent head for an extended period. An earlier attempt to appoint Ali Raza Khan in 2023 was unsuccessful due to his failure to obtain security clearance.

Abu Bakar’s appointment comes at a critical time for PSEB as the organization seeks to further enhance Pakistan’s software export capabilities. With his background in M&A, digital innovation, and operational leadership, his tenure is expected to provide a much-needed boost to PSEB’s strategic growth and the digital transformation of Pakistan’s IT sector.