LAHORE: Federal Information Technology Minister Shiza Fatima Khawaja has stated that youth are a valuable national asset and hence, over 700,000 children will receive information technology (IT) training this year. She expressed these views while addressing the 27th ITCN Asia, a three-day event bringing together Pakistan’s entire tech and startup ecosystem, on Saturday. Emphasising the importance of human capital, the Minister said that Pakistan’s youth are its greatest strength. She shared that hundreds of thousands of young people have already received skills training, while a much larger number will be trained during the current year to meet the demands of the modern digital economy. She observed that our 150 million youth, comprising both boys and girls, must be equipped with skills to enhance employment and development opportunities, adding that over the past two years, approximately 300,000 children have already been trained at no cost, and this year, the goal is to train 750,000 more. The Minister noted that the government is ensuring access to the latest technology for the public is a top priority. “Pakistan was moving steadily towards a technology-driven economy. During the past four years, the Special Technology Zones Authority has established 32 Special Technology Zones across the country, creating a strong ecosystem for IT growth, innovation and investment,” she said, adding that the upcoming Digital Nation System would prove to be a game changer for Pakistan’s IT sector by integrating digital services and improving governance. “Thanks to the government’s positive policies, the IT sector has experienced significant growth. Pakistan’s startup environment has strengthened significantly under the supervision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, creating new opportunities for innovation, investment and skills development. Over 27,000 technology professionals are currently working within Special Technology Zones across the country,” she added. Fatima emphasised the need to make Pakistan a recognised brand and outlined efforts to boost exports of IT products. “The government was actively working on strengthening Pakistan’s global image through focused international branding, aimed at rebuilding trust and confidence worldwide. Moreover, steps are being taken to attract direct foreign investment, aiming to develop a knowledge-based economy. The government is dedicated to advancing the IT sector and ensuring access to the latest technology is a top priority, utilising all available resources,” she added. She noted that comprehensive and sustainable economic development is crucial. “There was a time when many feared Pakistan might default. However, under Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s leadership, we not only saved the country from default in two years but also steered the economy in the right direction. Political and economic conditions are improving, and the country is moving towards stability,” she added. She stressed that the ultimate objective of technology adoption was to make life easier for ordinary citizens. She said that digital public services help curb red tape and corruption, adding that the federal government has completely transitioned to e-commerce and eliminated paper-based processes. She highlighted the launch of the Asaan Khidmat Service Centre as an important step towards citizen-friendly service delivery, adding that the IT sector will continue to grow in the coming days. Referring to Maarka-e-Haq, Fatima said that Pakistan successfully safeguarded its systems through robust cybersecurity measures. She credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their leadership, stating that Pakistan not only emerged successful but also demonstrated its cybersecurity capabilities to the world. She praised the ITCN Asia, saying it is a landmark international event that reflects Pakistan’s rapid progress in advanced technology and its growing presence on the global digital map. “Such events were vital for showcasing Pakistan’s technological potential, fostering collaboration, and reinforcing the country’s confidence on the global stage.” Meanwhile, the ITCN Asia was organised by Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan with Tech Destination Pakistan as the presenting partner and held under the patronage of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) with support from the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA), the Ministry of IT and Telecom, and Tech Destination Pakistan. It is bringing together over 600 IT firms, international delegates from over 25 countries, and professional attendees. The exhibition will showcase key sectors such as government technology, cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI, fintech, enterprise solutions and startups, while serving as a major platform for product launches, partnerships, investment and business networking. The event serves as a critical bridge between public sector policymakers and private sector innovators, aiming to generate over USD 750 million in business opportunities. The National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), the premier ICT service provider to the Government of Pakistan, also participated in the 27th ITCN Asia. According to NTC, as a key public sector entity, NTC’s presence at this year’s flagship event reinforces its commitment to accelerating ‘Digital Pakistan’ through secure, reliable, and advanced telecommunication services tailored for the public sector. Common Criteria Pakistan Lab (CCPL) is also participating in the event, where it is highlighting the critical importance of strengthening Pakistan’s IT and cybersecurity ecosystem through internationally recognised security evaluations. The CCPL representative emphasised that robust security evaluation frameworks are essential for safeguarding digital transformation initiatives and protecting sensitive information across public and private sectors. The lab is actively sensitising industry leaders, policymakers, and technology stakeholders on the importance of adopting secure-by-design principles and evaluating technologies, he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026