Pakistan is making a splash on the global tech map in October 2025, showcasing its innovators at back-to-back marquee events: Expand North Star in Dubai and GITEX[1] Technology Week. These pavilions are more than exhibitions; they signal a strategic pivot to position Pakistan as a credible technology originator on the world stage.
At Expand North Star 2025[2], Pakistan inaugurated its national pavilion in Dubai Harbour, bringing together ten high-potential startups across areas like fintech, blockchain, AI, healthtech, and e-commerce.
The pavilion, organized under the auspices of Ignite, National Technology Fund, allowed Pakistani founders to pitch live to international investors and network with global decision makers. Key officials including Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and Ignite leadership emphasized the country’s growing IT export momentum and global ambitions.
Meanwhile at GITEX 2025, Pakistan is amplifying its presence further. The Pakistan Pavilion at GITEX includes 26 established IT firms and 10 startups under the banner “Think Tech, Think Pakistan.” Organized in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), this pavilion aims to expand Pakistan’s footprint in AI, software exports, and digital innovation.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja is personally leading the delegation, delivering a keynote titled “Pakistan’s AI & Connectivity Drive: A Model for Emerging Economies” and holding critical bilateral meetings.
“These startups are not only ambassadors of Pakistan’s digital potential but also vital contributors to our national goal of achieving sustainable economic growth through the knowledge economy. We are committed to continuing our efforts in supporting and expanding Pakistan’s startup ecosystem to compete globally,” said Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s envoy to the UAE.
The twin shows reinforce a message of ambition backed by statistics: IT exports from Pakistan to the UAE hit USD $376 million in fiscal year 2024–25, while total IT export revenue crossed USD $3.76 billion. These numbers serve as proof points that Pakistan is not just attending global stages, but bringing tangible digital value.
These events also offer local firms elevated branding, access to curated networking zones, and opportunities for joint R&D and investment. Through pitch sessions, bilateral MoUs (such as between Pakistan’s CERT and Kaspersky), and curated exposure, Pakistani startups gain access to global ecosystems previously out of reach.
What to watch next: which Pakistani startups land foreign investment, how many collaborative deals are signed, whether this momentum translates into sustained growth back home, and how Pakistan’s tech diplomacy narrative evolves moving forward.
References
- ^ GITEX (www.techjuice.pk)
- ^ Expand North Star 2025 (www.techjuice.pk)