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The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), through its flagship organisation Ignite, the National Technology Fund, has launched two major national initiatives: the Prime Minister’s Cloud Enablement Program for Startups and the Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF). The launch marks a key step in the government’s broader effort to strengthen Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem and advance a knowledge-driven digital economy. Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, attended the ceremony alongside Rafique Ahmed Burriro, CEO of Ignite, and representatives from the startup community, private sector, and government institutions. In her address, Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Prime Minister’s Digital Nation Vision, noting that the new initiatives would accelerate innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and reinforce Pakistan’s presence in the global tech landscape. She said the government is actively working to create an enabling environment for young innovators, adding that the Pakistan Startup Fund was established to help entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable business solutions addressing global challenges. The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s rapid progress in the information technology sector, stressing that national leadership remains committed to expanding the industry’s footprint and ensuring sustained growth. Rafique Ahmed Burriro, CEO of Ignite, said the ministry aims to execute transformative programs that equip startups with infrastructure, funding, and international exposure. He added that the Cloud Enablement Program, PSF, and BridgeStart Pakistan collectively form a foundation for sustainable innovation and economic progress. The MoITT Cloud Enablement for Startups initiative provides access to world-class cloud infrastructure through global providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Huawei Cloud. Eligible startups will receive reimbursement-based cloud credits, allowing them to scale efficiently, innovate faster, and adopt emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, FinTech, HealthTech, and eCommerce. The Pakistan Startup Fund aims to address early-stage funding gaps by offering equity-free grants of up to 30 percent of an investment round. The initiative is designed to de-risk private investments and attract more venture capital inflows into Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. BridgeStart Pakistan, another component of the broader initiative, connects local startups with global accelerators and investors, helping them gain exposure in international markets. During the ceremony, graduating startups under BridgeStart Pakistan were awarded cheques and certificates for their achievements in global acceleration and incubation programs. Among those recognized were Motovest, Paymo, Chaajao Tech, InLights Solutions, Sahl, Thingsty, Kashmeta, Edversity, Creative 3D, and Wiser Machines, all of which represented Pakistan internationally and built strong investor networks. The launch of these initiatives underscores the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing a robust startup ecosystem by enhancing policy support, funding opportunities, and technological access. Together, the Prime Minister’s Cloud Enablement Program, Pakistan Startup Fund, and BridgeStart Pakistan form a unified framework to turn ideas into impact and accelerate the nation’s digital transformation. Pakistan Expands Textile Exports Through BRICS Plus Pakistan Agrees to Restart Taliban Talks in Turkiye
