Islamabad: The Pakistan Software Houses Association (PaSHA) hosted the HBL-PaSHA ICT Awards 2024 on Monday, celebrating exceptional service and innovation in Pakistan’s IT sector. The event, which promotes “Made in Pakistan” products and services, was attended by the Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, along with other government officials, diplomats, and leading figures from the IT industry.
According to Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication announcement issued on 23 September 2024, the HBL-PaSHA ICT Awards recognized and honored innovative solutions in the IT sector by presenting 33 Gold Awards and 47 Merit Awards across various categories, including Consumer, Business Services, Inclusion and Community, and Student Innovation. The event not only highlighted the creativity and excellence of Pakistani software and service companies but also aimed to provide them with local, regional, and international visibility.
In her address, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja acknowledged the critical role of PaSHA in shaping Pakistan’s digital future and driving innovation in the IT and telecom sectors. She emphasized the importance of these awards in promoting the ‘MakeInPakistan’ initiative and congratulated all nominees and winners for setting new standards in technology.
The Minister also shared insights into the government’s initiatives aimed at fulfilling the Digital Pakistan Vision, which includes digitalizing the economy, governance, and society. She highlighted that the IT sector plays a vital role in the economic uplift of the country and mentioned that the government is committed to boosting the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to reach a target of 25 billion dollars in IT exports over the next five years.
PaSHA Chairman, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, spoke about the association’s efforts in advocating for IT companies and facilitating growth within the digital landscape. He noted that PaSHA’s initiatives have significantly contributed to a sustained surge in Pakistan’s IT exports, which have reached $3.22 billion this year.
Abrar Ahmed Mir, Chief Innovation and Financial Inclusion Officer at HBL, commented on the partnership with PaSHA, stating that it has been instrumental in nurturing local talent and providing a global platform for Pakistani IT companies. He expressed that the HBL-PaSHA ICT awards are a testament to the industry’s exceptional innovation and dedication.
Furthermore, the Secretary General of PaSHA, Nadeem Aslam, expressed gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to driving growth in Pakistan’s IT sector and digital economy. He also mentioned that the award-winning companies will represent Pakistan at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards in Brunei Darussalam later this year, showcasing their achievements on a global stage.