Lahore, Pakistan – The Global Digital Summit, a flagship event in association with ITCN Asia by CxO Global Forum, convened at Expo Center Lahore on April 19–20, 2024. With a focus on enabling, transforming, innovating, and disrupting the digital ecosystem, the summit served as a crucial platform for stakeholders to explore global markets and cultivate opportunities within Pakistan’s burgeoning digital and tech sector.
Day 1 Highlights:
The summit commenced with a warm Welcome Note delivered by Mr. Kanwal Masroor, CEO & Founder of CxO Global Forum, setting the stage for two days of insightful discussions and collaborative initiatives.
Distinguished guests including Umair Nizam, Program Director of ecgateway, Minister of IT Shaza Khawaja, Maj General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman HI (M), Capt (R) Muhammad Mahmood, Secretary IT, VLAD DAVYDOV, Muhammad Imran (T.I), Project Director PakSat-MMI at Suparco, and Dr. Amjad Saqib, Founder of Akhuwat Foundation, graced the occasion with their presence, underscoring the significance of the summit in shaping the future of Pakistan’s digital landscape.
The inaugural day commenced with a Welcome Address by Umair Nizam (Program Director ecgateway) highlighting the summit’s focus on disruption, innovation, and industry collaboration.
Awards Ceremony & Keynote Address by Minister of IT Shaza Khawaja:
Minister of IT Shaza Khawaja presided over the awards distribution ceremony, recognizing leaders across diverse sectors for their outstanding contributions. Following this, Minister Khawaja delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the pivotal role of IT in reshaping global economies. She underscored the importance of platforms like the Global Digital Summit in fostering industry growth, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
Minister Khawaja reiterated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of facilitating the private sector to drive innovation and transformation within Pakistan’s tech ecosystem. Simultaneously, she emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts in overcoming industry challenges and enhancing the nation’s digital infrastructure
Day 1 commenced with a series of insightful panel discussions exploring diverse topics such as the Future of Banking, Infrastructure Development in Pakistan focusing on 5G & Cloud Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Emerging Technologies, and the significance of “Made in Pakistan.” These discussions provided a comprehensive overview of critical areas shaping Pakistan’s digital landscape, setting the stage for collaborative strategies and innovative solutions to propel the nation forward.
Panel #1: The Future of Banking:
Moderated by Sabahat Bukhari, Co-Founder of Inclusion Lab, the panel explored the transformation to digital banking and fintech. Speakers including Fatima Said (CEO, Abacus), Omar Khan (CEO, Avanza), Faisal Anwer (CIO, MCB), and Mahwish Saad (Commercial Head, Datacheck Limited) deliberated on the rapid evolution of banking services, particularly in catering to Gen-Z customers. Discussions also revolved around inclusivity in the banking sector and strategies for enhancing financial accessibility.
Panel #2: Infrastructure Development in Pakistan: 5G & Cloud Technology:
Led by Saira Faisal, Country Lead Digital Transformation at GSMA, the panel delved into the deployment of 5G network infrastructure and cloud technology in Pakistan. Panelists including Zarrar Hashim (Chief Business Officer, PTCL), Ali Akhtar (CEO, DynaSys Networks), Jamil Mayo (CEO, HNL), Asif Aziz (Chief Business Officer, Jazz), and Aamir Ahsan (Country Manager, Ericsson) examined the challenges and opportunities associated with 5G deployment. They emphasized the need for a supportive regulatory framework and collaborative efforts to realize Pakistan’s digital aspirations.
Award Distribution & Keynote Address by Chairman PTA:
Maj General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman HI (M), Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), commenced the proceedings with an award distribution ceremony, acknowledging the exemplary efforts of individuals and organizations in advancing the digital agenda. In his keynote address, General Rehman praised the summit for its role in fostering awareness and dialogue on pressing issues. Moreover, he emphasized the need for greater projection of Pakistan’s developmental strides, underscoring the imminent arrival of 5G technology. General Rehman assured proactive measures to deploy 5G infrastructure and commended the efforts of CxO Global Forum in facilitating meaningful discussions.
IoT Presentation by CEO DynaSys Networks:
Ali Akhtar, CEO of DynaSys Networks, unveiled “ALEF,” Pakistan’s indigenous IoT revolution, showcasing the country’s advancements in cloud technology and IoT innovation. The presentation highlighted Pakistan’s readiness to embrace digital transformation and leverage IoT capabilities for societal and economic progress.
Panel #3: Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Moderated by Adnan Kazi, COO of TenX, the AI panel delved into the transformative potential of AI in Pakistan. Kanwal Cheema (Founder, My Impact Meter), Dua Sukhera (CEO, The International Institute of Entrepreneurship), Adeel Mankee (CEO, Data Pilot), and Faisal Kamiran (President & Co-founder, Addo AI) explored the journey from AI hurdles to opportunities. Discussions encompassed global and local perspectives on AI implementation, its implications for Pakistan’s future, and strategies to navigate challenges effectively.
Panel #4: Emerging Technologies:
Under the guidance of Noman Said, CEO of SI Global, the panel navigated the landscape of emerging technologies shaping Pakistan’s digital trajectory. Dr. Akif (MD, KPITB), Shoaib Hamid (CIO, Artistic Milleners), Khawaja Muhammad Tayyab Zahid, Rizwan Akhtar (CPO, Inbox Technologies), and Sehrish (CEO, BizB) deliberated on key trends, challenges, and economic implications of emerging technologies. The panel underscored the imperative of adopting these technologies, fostering innovation, and positioning Pakistan as a global leader in technological advancement.
Panel #5: Made in Pakistan:
The panel was moderated by Syed Junaid, COO Softoo and the panel speakers included Shahzad Rafique, COO AutoSoft, Asif Ismail, COO Premier Cables, Omer Farooq, CEO Interwood , Naeem Abbas, CEO TwentyFourSeven and Fahd Mehmood Khan, CEO HumanTek. Discussions revolved around the impact of “Made in Pakistan,” current implementation levels, associated hurdles, and the role of IT in bolstering Pakistan’s manufacturing sector. The panelists explored avenues to elevate “Made in Pakistan” products to a global platform and enhance export potential, considering various sectoral dynamics and economic implications.
Keynote Speech by Capt (R) Muhammad Mahmood, Secretary IT
Following the panel discussion, Capt (R) Muhammad Mahmood, Secretary IT, delivered a keynote speech underscoring the importance of such summits in shaping Pakistan’s IT landscape. He highlighted emerging trends in IT and emphasized the transformative potential of collaborative discussions in steering Pakistan towards digital innovation and competitiveness.
Day 2 Highlights:
The second day of the summit commenced with a Keynote Speech by VLAD DAVYDOV, setting the stage for engaging dialogues and thought-provoking sessions.
Day 2 featured panel discussions on important subjects like bridging the digital gap through financial inclusion, speeding up digital change, and boosting the tech sector’s growth through creativity. Additionally, these talks helped simplify complex ideas and encouraged teamwork, all aimed at making Pakistan’s digital journey more accessible and effective.
Panel #1: Closing the Digital Divide through Financial Inclusion:
Moderated by Sabahat Bukhari, Co-Founder of Inclusion Lab, the panel delved into the role of digitization in Pakistan and strategies to foster financial inclusion. Mons Rahman (Co-Founder & CEO, Dukan), Saira Faisal (Country Head, GSMA), Shahzad Ishaq (CDO, MCB), Maleeha Bangash, and Akbar Senior Motani (CEO, DPM) discussed avenues for bridging the digital gap and promoting inclusivity in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
Panel #2: Accelerating Digital Transformation:
Under the guidance of Jalil Ahmed Farooqui, CBO of Avanza Solutions, the panel explored the significance of digital transformation in Pakistan. Hafeez Ul Hassan Shah (CIO, Sapphire), Nausheen Ashraf (Director & CEO, 4sight Technologies Pvt Ltd), Abdullah Khan (Director, Pronet Pvt Ltd), and Zunaira Omar (CEO, The SquarePeg) deliberated on key strategies to enhance digital transformation, overcome challenges, and position Pakistan competitively on the global stage.
Keynote Address by Muhammad Imran (T.I)
Following the panel discussion, attendees were treated to a keynote speech by Muhammad Imran (T.I), Project Director at PakSat-MMI, Satellite Research and Development Centre, Suparco. His address provided valuable insights and expertise, enriching the summit with a deeper understanding of satellite technology’s role in Pakistan’s digital journey.
Panel #3: Creative Economy—Growth of Tech Economy:
Moderated by Imran Jattala, Project Director of NICAT, the panelists shed light on the transformative potential of a creative economy in Pakistan. Aisha Moriani (CEO, PSEB), Hira Zainab (VP, Contour Software), Dr. Sahibzada Ali Mahmood (CIO, Netsol), Mohsin Ali (CEO, Inbox Technologies), and Fakhar Ul Hassan (CIO, Fauji Fertilizer) discussed the impact of technology on economic growth, opportunities in tech exports, and the future trajectory of Pakistan’s tech industry.
Keynote Speech by Dr. Amjad Saqib, Founder of Akhuwat Foundation
The culmination of Day 2 featured a keynote speech by Dr. Amjad Saqib, Founder of Akhuwat Foundation. Dr. Saqib expressed gratitude towards the CxO Global Forum for providing a platform for crucial discussions. He emphasized the pivotal role of these discussions in fostering inclusivity and growth across all sectors of Pakistan, aligning the nation with the rapid pace of global development.
Celebrating Excellence: Award Distribution Ceremony
The conclusion of Day 2 was marked by an Award Distribution Ceremony, recognizing the exemplary contributions of key players from various industries. These awards served as a testament to their dedication and innovation, highlighting their pivotal roles in driving Pakistan’s digital transformation forward.
Furthermore, the Global Digital Summit 2024 underscored its role as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and transformation in Pakistan’s tech sector. CxO Global Forum extends its gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and partners for their invaluable contributions to making this event a resounding success.
