January 16, 2026
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Published by Aeyan Raza
December 4, 2025
Islamabad: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to enhance collaboration in digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, and innovation, marking a significant step in strengthening tech ties between the two countries.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and UAE Ambassador Salem Alzaabi on Thursday in Islamabad. The discussions focused on digital transformation, communication technologies, capacity building, and leveraging technology to boost economic growth.
Both sides emphasized the importance of engaging the Pakistani tech diaspora to facilitate cross-border partnerships and attract new investments. Minister Khawaja highlighted Pakistan’s ambition to modernize its economy, expand IT exports, and create a thriving ecosystem for tech startups.
“The Pakistani tech sector is evolving rapidly,” Khawaja said, describing the country as an emerging global tech destination. She pointed to a young, talented workforce, a growing startup ecosystem, and innovation-friendly policies as key drivers behind the sector’s growth.
The UAE continues to be a vital economic partner for Pakistan, serving as its second-largest trading partner and hosting one of the largest Pakistani expatriate communities abroad. Beyond trade, the UAE is a critical source of remittances and a major investor in sectors such as energy, ports, banking, and logistics.
The meeting highlighted opportunities for the UAE to support Pakistan’s IT and digital exports, especially in areas like cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI) training, cybersecurity frameworks, and startup mentorship programs. Pakistani entrepreneurs and diaspora professionals were identified as essential contributors to technology transfer, investment, and connecting digital markets between the two nations.
The agreement signals a broader effort by Pakistan to strengthen partnerships with Gulf countries, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to accelerate digital innovation and enhance technology-driven economic growth. Both sides agreed to explore new avenues for joint initiatives, capacity-building programs, and technology collaboration, reinforcing Pakistan’s goal of becoming a regional hub for innovation.
By fostering closer ties in IT, AI, and emerging technologies, Pakistan aims to attract investment, improve digital skills, and support local startups, positioning itself as a competitive player in the global tech landscape.
The Pakistan-UAE collaboration marks a major step forward in digital diplomacy, combining innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic investment to strengthen economic and technological ties for the future.
