Fashion Is Having a Very Complicated Relationship With AI
September 2, 2026
Shaza Fatima Khawaja unveils Pakistan’s national digital stack at LEAP 2026, touting legal reforms, 5G, tech zones and Saudi ties as pillars to attract investment and scale startups.
Pakistan has begun packaging its digital ambitions as an investable proposition, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. She announced Pakistan is developing a national digital stack and has anchored reforms in the Digital Nation Pakistan Act to give the effort institutional ownership.
“These steps have positioned the country as one of the region’s most attractive investment destinations,” Khawaja said, stressing that the state must build core digital infrastructure while the private sector leads innovation. Her remarks, delivered during a keynote titled “How We Built a Digital Nation,” framed legislation, connectivity and incentives as the pillars of growth.
The minister highlighted recent moves, one of the country’s largest 5G spectrum auctions, creation of Special Technology Zones, and reduced taxation for IT firms as evidence the groundwork is in place. She argued that a dedicated central digital agency and strict, measurable KPIs are vital to translate policy into delivery and maintain focus on large scale transformation.
Pakistan’s presence at the world’s largest tech event included the inauguration of the Tech Destination Pakistan Pavilion, which showcases 25 startups and 50 tech companies working on AI, automation and cloud solutions. The pavilion aims to spark B2B deals, bring foreign investment and broaden market access for Pakistani tech exports.
Khawaja also used the platform to reiterate Islamabad’s intent to deepen collaboration with Saudi Arabia. She said continued partnership in digital innovation and capacity building would create “new avenues for shared growth and prosperity” for both countries, signalling Islamabad’s pursuit of strategic tech ties alongside domestic reforms.
Participation at LEAP 2026 reflects Pakistan’s attempt to convert policy promises into commercial reality, inviting investors and partners to test the new digital stack and the incentives that accompany it.
