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The Government of Pakistan, through the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) and Ignite, National Technology Fund, has launched the Pakistan Digital Sector Roadmap in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The initiative marks a key milestone in advancing the prime minister’s vision for a Digital Pakistan while also celebrating the winners of the AI Wrapper Competition 2025.
The two-day event began with the National Workshop on AI Use Case Development. Experts from government, academia, and the private sector collaborated to design AI-driven solutions for national priorities, including health, education, agriculture, finance, and governance.
The outcomes of the workshop will guide the creation of the National AI Innovation Hub (NAIIH), envisioned as a hub for applied AI research, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and capacity building.
Unveiling the roadmap, Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja said,
“Under the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, this roadmap is a strategic step for a connected, competitive, and future-ready Pakistan. It aligns with the vision for a Digital Nation Pakistan, where technology drives inclusive growth, transparency, and innovation across every sector.”
The roadmap outlines a 10-year vision to build a digitally empowered and inclusive Pakistan by 2035. It focuses on four pillars, Digital Infrastructure, Digital Economy, Digital Governance, and Digital Society, aligned with Uraan Pakistan 2024–2029 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025.
At the same event, the AI Wrapper Competition 2025 showcased the country’s growing AI talent. More than 1,700 teams from 106 cities, including 33% female participation, competed across five categories: EdTech, HealthTech, Climate/AgriTech, GovTech, and FinTech. Winners received a total of PKR 8.7 million in prize money for developing AI solutions to national challenges.
Congratulating the winners, the IT Minister said,
“AI Wrapper Competition 2025 reflects the spirit of the National AI Policy 2025, empowering youth and entrepreneurs to use AI responsibly and creatively for Pakistan’s development.”
Ignite CEO Rafique A. Buriro highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating,
“Through initiatives like the AI Wrapper Competition and the National AI Innovation Hub, we aim to build an ecosystem that turns policy into impact, enabling startups, researchers, and government to collaborate on real-world AI applications.”
Dr. Antonio García Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office at ADB, said,
“Pakistan’s Digital Sector Roadmap provides a clear pathway for inclusive, resilient, and innovation-led growth. ADB is proud to support Pakistan in strengthening digital Infrastructure, Digital Economy, digital governance, and digital Society.”
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the National AI Policy 2025, establishing the National AI Innovation Hub, and fostering partnerships to accelerate Pakistan’s transition toward a knowledge-based, innovation-led economy.
