Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan is well placed to become a leading regional centre for digital innovation.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters in Islamabad, he pointed to the country’s expanding information technology sector, a large pool of young talent, and the new opportunities emerging under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).
Dar stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision focuses on turning Pakistan into a regional hub for the digital economy and technological advancement. He added that the country’s digital sector is growing at a fast pace, creating strong prospects for foreign investment, tech collaboration, and innovation-driven development.
He explained that CPEC 2.0 represents a shift from traditional infrastructure projects to modern priorities such as smart infrastructure, digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, information and communication technologies, and broader innovation ecosystems.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s ties with China, the deputy prime minister described the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership as a long-standing and trusted relationship that is now entering a new phase centred on digital and economic cooperation.
Dar said the establishment of the IBI Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters is another step forward in strengthening bilateral relations, while also signalling increasing global confidence in Pakistan as an emerging destination for technology, investment, and digital transformation.
He further emphasised the need to deepen collaboration in emerging technologies to promote sustainable economic growth and enhance regional connectivity.
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