The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has officially endorsed the federal government’s strategic framework for artificial intelligence as pivotal at the inaugural Indus AI Summit 2026.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom (MoITT), attended the HBL P@SHA CXO Networking Dinner as the Chief Guest during Indus AI Week and praised the dynamism and export performance of the IT industry, which surged in the first half of FY26 (July–December 2025) to reach $2.2 billion, representing a 20% year-on-year growth.
The mega event was sponsored by the IT industry, featuring 25 major national and international tech companies as prominent exhibitors and attracting 100,000 participants across numerous engagements. The Innovation, Learning, and Engagement Arena hosted over 40 specialized tech events, drawing thousands of students, founders, investors, researchers, and developers.
Concurrently, the National AI Training Bootcamp provided intensive technical upskilling to more than 1,900 participants over two days. The Indus eSports Championship further incentivized youth engagement with a competitive prize pool of Rs. 4.5 million.
Welcoming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s landmark announcement of a $1 billion national investment in AI by 2030, P@SHA reiterated that the private sector will serve as the primary engine for this tech-driven economic transformation. The association expressed strong support for the newly unveiled Islamabad Declaration, particularly its emphasis on establishing a private-sector-led, sovereign AI ecosystem.
P@SHA highlighted the scale of Indus AI Week and the national momentum behind the digital pivot. Beyond the headline $1 billion commitment, the summit established measurable targets for human capital development, including funding 1,000 PhD scholarships in artificial intelligence and a federal mandate to train one million non-IT professionals in advanced tech skills.
Working alongside the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), P@SHA’s leadership positioned the association as a central pillar in transforming Pakistan’s AI ambitions from policy to practical implementation. The summit, held at the Jinnah Convention Center, served as the strategic anchor for Indus AI Week.
During the summit’s closing panel, “Next Steps: Impact of the Week,” P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Syed joined Secretary IT Zarrar Khan and global technology experts to outline a roadmap for immediate industry adoption.
“The IT sector is no longer merely a participant in Pakistan’s economy; it is the fundamental engine of our future growth,” stated Sajjad Syed. “The commitments made at the Indus AI Summit provide a much-needed, evidence-based structural framework. P@SHA, representing the collective strength of Pakistan’s software and tech enterprises, is fully prepared to translate this policy into export-driven, practical realities. Integrating AI is no longer optional; it is a matter of global competitiveness and economic sovereignty.”
The nationwide rollout of Indus AI Week, featuring decentralized events at universities, tech hubs, and the Innovation Arena at the Islamabad Sports Complex, marks a departure from traditional, isolated tech conferences. P@SHA commended this inclusive approach, noting that true digital empowerment must extend beyond the federal capital to grassroots innovators across all provinces.
As Indus AI Week continues, P@SHA urges all member companies, tech founders, and IT professionals to actively participate in scheduled expos, skill-building sessions, and sectoral showcases to solidify Pakistan’s position as a credible player in the global AI landscape.
