Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity while Pakistani startups secured new investments and commercial partnerships during LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. Pakistan participated in one of its largest international technology exhibitions under the Tech Destination Pakistan banner, with more than 75 startups and technology companies showcasing products and services from August 31 to September 3. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja led the country’s delegation and formally inaugurated the Tech Destination Pakistan Pavilion, which featured 25 startups alongside more than 50 Pakistani technology companies presenting innovations in artificial intelligence, automation, and other digital technologies. According to Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, the participation was intended to strengthen Pakistan’s technology ecosystem by attracting international investment, creating business to business partnerships, and expanding access to global markets.
A key outcome of Pakistan’s participation was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and Saudi Arabia National Cybersecurity Authority to enhance bilateral cooperation in cybersecurity. The agreement focuses on strengthening collaboration against emerging cyber threats through the exchange of cybersecurity expertise, technical knowledge, and best practices. The cooperation is intended to help both countries improve their cybersecurity capabilities while supporting the development of stronger digital resilience. Alongside the cybersecurity agreement, Pakistan used the event to promote its technology sector and digital economy by engaging with international investors, technology companies, and government organizations interested in expanding collaboration with Pakistani firms. The conference also served as a platform to demonstrate the country’s growing capabilities in artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and enterprise technology.
Several Pakistani startups announced significant achievements during the event. Edversity, an Ignite supported startup operating under Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, secured a $400,000 investment from Rapidev Group. The funding will support the company’s international expansion plans and accelerate the growth of its artificial intelligence powered education platform. Office Flow AI signed an Incubation Partnership Agreement with Dhahran Techno Valley, one of Saudi Arabia’s established technology ecosystems, to support the development and regional expansion of its AI powered business automation platform. The company also entered into a separate agreement with MIS Arabia, a Saudi technology services provider serving organizations including Aramco and SABIC. In another milestone, eight Pakistani startups graduated from Cohort 01 of AstroLabs LEAP, a 12 week soft landing accelerator delivered through BridgeStart Pakistan, Ignite, and AstroLabs with support from Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, providing participating companies with opportunities to establish a stronger presence in regional markets.
During the conference, Shaza Fatima Khawaja delivered a keynote address titled “How We Built a Digital Nation,” where she highlighted Pakistan’s digital transformation initiatives, including Digital Nation Pakistan Act and investments in nationwide connectivity. She also discussed reforms aimed at attracting technology investment under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s digitalization agenda with the facilitation of Special Investment Facilitation Council. The minister participated in a panel discussion on building human centered digital economies in an artificial intelligence driven era alongside ministers from Algeria, Barbados, Eswatini, and Syria, as well as Digital Cooperation Organization Secretary General Deemah AlYahya. On the sidelines of the conference, she held bilateral meetings with Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al Swaha, Algerian Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups and Microenterprise Dr. Noureddine Ouadah, South Korean Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung Hoon, and senior officials from Saudi technology organizations including National Technology Development Program, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, National Cybersecurity Authority, Go Telecom, MOZN, and Monsha’at. These engagements formed part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen international technology cooperation, promote digital talent, expand commercial opportunities, and attract greater investment into the country’s technology sector.
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