ISLAMABAD: Delegates from around 45 countries have arrived in Islamabad to take part in the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) conference, which kicks off today (Tuesday), despite heightened regional tensions following the Pahalgam attack.
Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja voiced optimism about the event’s success, asserting that threats from India would not derail the proceedings.
“We’re welcoming delegations from across the globe, including China, Russia, the U.S., Indonesia, Malaysia, and South America,” she said. Over 75 foreign investors and CEOs from more than 50 international companies are expected to attend what is considered a landmark event.
The minister also disclosed that several Pakistani government websites had recently been targeted by cyberattacks originating from India, but stated that all threats were successfully neutralized. “Our cybersecurity systems are world-class, comparable to those in the UK and U.S.,” she added.
Pakistani IT Firms to Showcase Innovation
Highlighting Pakistan’s growing digital sector, Shaza Fatima noted that over 100 local IT firms and numerous startups will present their products and innovative solutions to global investors during the conference.
Organized under the umbrella of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO), this marks the first time a DFDI event is being hosted in Pakistan.
Several investment agreements have already been signed ahead of the conference, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expected to announce potential investment figures during the event.
Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary-General of the DCO, is attending as a special guest. Pakistan is also set to assume the rotating presidency of the DCO for the coming year.
Efforts to Attract Investment and Cut Red Tape
“We’re collaborating with Saudi Arabia to expand the DCO’s reach and are working to bring in major economies like China,” the minister said.
Responding to questions about investor concerns, she confirmed that the government is reforming the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address bureaucratic inefficiencies.
“Our aim is to build a business-friendly digital environment. Reforms are underway in the FBR and other departments to eliminate red tape and improve investor confidence,” she explained.
Speaking on the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Shaza Fatima described it as a comprehensive government platform that ensures seamless coordination between the IT Ministry, the FBR, and other relevant bodies.
“We are working toward a one-stop shop for business services,” she said, adding that a World Bank-supported project is also being implemented to streamline processes through digital transformation.
“The goal of our National Digital Transformation initiative is to simplify doing business and draw substantial investment into Pakistan’s technology sector,” the minister concluded.
