PMYP presents PM’s vision for $25bn digital economy at House of Lords

• Pakistan-UK tech forum at House of Lords explores digital partnership push on sidelines of London Tech Week 2026

• Stakeholders from Pakistan and UK discuss innovation and investment

• Rizwan Anwar highlights youth-led growth and startup ecosystem

• British investors invited to explore AI, software exports and skills sector

 LONDON/LAHORE: On the sidelines of London Tech Week 2026, the Pakistan Britain Business Council (PBBC) hosted the Pakistan Tech Forum at the House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, bringing together key stakeholders from Pakistan’s technology sector and UK counterparts to explore new avenues of collaboration in innovation, digital growth, investment and entrepreneurship.

The high-level forum brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders, including senior representatives from the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), and the Centre for Digital Literacy and Business Management (CDLBM).

Among the notable participants were Mr. Rizwan Anwar, Special Representative for International Linkages & Youth Development to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, and Ms. Maha Jamil, Special Representative to the PMYP. The event was hosted by Lord Qurban Hussain, Member of the House of Lords, alongside Mr. Rashid Iqbal, Chief Executive of the Pakistan Britain Business Council.

The forum served as a high-level platform for dialogue on technology cooperation, digital transformation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, investment opportunities and the future of Pakistan-UK digital partnerships.

In his keynote address, Rizwan Anwar presented Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of a digitally empowered Pakistan, highlighting the country’s emergence as a promising technology and innovation hub in the region. He underscored Pakistan’s large youth population, expanding digital ecosystem, rising software exports and growing participation in the global digital economy.

He said the government is pursuing a transformative agenda aimed at positioning Pakistan as a regional technology hub and expanding the information technology sector toward a US$25 billion digital economy. He stressed that youth remain central to this vision, describing them as the country’s greatest asset in driving innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.

Highlighting initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Mr. Anwar referred to programmes led by Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, including youth entrepreneurship support, startup facilitation, digital skills development, access to finance, and the Prime Minister’s Business & Youth Loan schemes. He said these initiatives are designed to equip young Pakistanis with the skills and opportunities needed to compete in the global digital economy.

He also invited British investors, technology companies, academic institutions and the Pakistani diaspora to engage with Pakistan’s expanding innovation ecosystem, particularly in artificial intelligence, digital skills development, technology entrepreneurship, software exports and youth-led innovation.

Participants exchanged views on strengthening digital cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, expanding technology partnerships, promoting digital literacy, encouraging youth participation in emerging technologies, and creating new pathways for investment and knowledge exchange.

The discussions reflected a shared commitment to leveraging technology as a driver of economic growth, innovation and international cooperation, with both sides acknowledging strong potential for long-term engagement between their technology sectors.