Pakistan to Host Its First Ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment Summit in April

Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to digital transformation at the 4th General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) held at the Dead Sea, Jordan.

Led by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Pakistani delegation engaged in high-level discussions to accelerate the country’s digital agenda.

During the event, Minister Shaza Khawaja announced that Pakistan will host its first-ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Summit on April 29-30, 2025, in Islamabad. Co-organized by the Government of Pakistan, the DCO, and the World Economic Forum (WEF), the summit aims to attract global investors and technology leaders to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s digital economy.

At the International Digital Cooperation Forum (IDCF), a key event under the DCO General Assembly, Mehwish Salman Ali, Founder and CEO of Data Vault, represented Pakistan on the “Connecting AI Startups” panel. She highlighted Pakistan’s role as a hub for world-class AI talent and unveiled plans for the country’s first AI Innovation Center. This center, led by Data Vault, aims to accelerate AI startups, foster innovation, and integrate Pakistani AI solutions into the global market.

Strategic Engagements and Partnerships

On the sidelines of the assembly, Mehwish Salman Ali engaged in high-level meetings to bolster Pakistan’s digital collaborations:

• Meeting with Elm: Discussions with Hakeem AbdulAziz Alrasheed, General Manager of Saudi Arabia’s leading technology company, Elm, focused on potential collaborations in AI and digital security.
• Dialogue with Fit4Internet: Conversations with Mag. Ulrike Domany-Funtan, General Secretary of Fit4Internet, centered on AI-driven digital literacy and cybersecurity initiatives.
• Bilateral Talks with Portugal: Engagements with Alberto Rodrigues da Silva, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Modernization and Digitalization, explored cooperation in AI research, development, and innovation.
• Invitation from Oman: Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Under-Secretary of Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, extended an invitation to establish a Data Vault office in Oman, aiming to develop AI-based solutions for regional and international markets.

Pakistan’s Digital Transformation Agenda

Khawaja emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to digital transformation, highlighting the recent passage of the National Digital Pakistan Act, which aims to digitize the economy, governance, and society. She also noted the establishment of the National Digital Commission, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to oversee the development of digital infrastructure and promote technological investment in Pakistan.

These developments underscore Pakistan’s proactive approach to integrating into the global digital economy and fostering international partnerships to drive technological advancement.