Ignite CEO Vacancy Stalls Key IT Projects Amid Board Inactivity

ISLAMABAD: The Ignite National Technology Fund under the Ministry of IT and Telecom has been facing prolonged stagnation due to the absence of a permanent CEO and the failure to hold board meetings, according to local media reports. It has been over 14 months without a permanent head, and the board has not convened since September last year, causing severe delays in multiple IT projects crucial for achieving Pakistan’s IT export targets.

The newly appointed Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecom, Zarrar Hasham Khan, who also chairs Ignite’s board, has not scheduled a meeting since his appointment in September 2024. This inaction has put on hold projects worth billions of rupees, directly impacting Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s target of $25 billion in IT exports. Although funds are available, the projects remain stalled due to the lack of board approvals.

Among the affected projects are the Ignite CODISKILLS initiative, the Center of Excellence in Gaming and Animation, the Ignite Virtual Production Studio, and the well-known DigiSkills program. The CODISKILLS initiative aimed to provide coding skills to 10,000 young individuals, while the Centers of Excellence were planned for Karachi and Lahore to boost the gaming and animation industry. Meanwhile, the DigiSkills program, offering free online training in soft skills, is also inoperative.

The report further highlights that the delay in board meetings has also stalled the appointment of a permanent CEO for Ignite. Interviews for the position were conducted, and a shortlist was prepared, but the final decision requires board approval. The CEO position has been vacant since January 17, 2024, after the term of Asim Shahryar Husain ended. In his absence, Adeel Aijaz Shaikh, GM (Corporate Affairs), has been managing the role temporarily since January 18, 2024, but lacks the authority to move projects forward effectively.

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) had announced in September 2024 that the Human Resource Governance Committee (HRGC) had completed the screening process for a new CEO. However, without a board meeting, the process remains stalled. The ongoing leadership vacuum is not only hindering operational efficiency but also posing a significant risk to the growth of Pakistan’s IT sector.

The prolonged absence of a permanent CEO isn’t the only controversy surrounding the Ignite National Technology Fund. A recent report highlighted inconsistencies in the organization’s response to a website hacking incident, raising questions about its cybersecurity protocols and crisis management capabilities.