Pakistan marked a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey today with the inauguration of the first-ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum 2025, held under the patronage of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The Forum also welcomed Ms. Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), as Guest of Honor. Hosted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication in collaboration with the DCO, the event signaled Pakistan’s commitment to fostering global digital partnerships and investment. The Forum brought together over 30 ministers from DCO member states, 75 international investors, and more than 100 leading Pakistani IT companies. With $700 million in digital investment announcements made on Day 1, the Forum underscored global confidence in Pakistan’s digital economy.
Addressing the audience, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, said, “Pakistan’s ICT exports have grown by over 25% in the past nine months, showing the growth of our digital economy.” She added, “We have improved our position by 14 places in the UN E-Government Development Index between 2022 and 2024 - a reflection of our ongoing commitment to digital progress and service delivery.” The Minister emphasized that Pakistan’s tech sector is open for international collaboration and poised for future growth.
At the Forum, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja and DCO Secretary-General Ms. Deemah AlYahya engaged with over 40 Pakistani startups and companies , applauding their entrepreneurial spirit and investor appeal. The opening day concluded with a strong sense of opportunity, global partnership, and renewed momentum for building Islamabad as Davos of digital investment.
