P@SHA PULSE Vol 15. January 2024 Edition
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Dear Members,
In January, P@SHA achieved significant milestones through collaborations and engagements. We launched the "Coffee with HBL" session, highlighting Pakistan's tech potential. Our TownHall with IT Minister events in Lahore and Islamabad united industry stakeholders. P@SHA achieved a big milestone by becoming a DCO Observer at 3rd General Assembly in Bahrain. Another proud moment for P@SHA was its presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. P@SHA also engaged in impactful policy discussions with organizations like the Asian Development Bank, SDPI, and PTA, advocating for a conducive environment for the IT sector.
Looking ahead, P@SHA is excited about the upcoming LEAP 2024 delegation and Web Summit Qatar, which present excellent opportunities to showcase Pakistan's tech prowess on a global stage. We remain dedicated to advocating for policies that support the growth and sustainability of the IT sector, ensuring a conducive environment for innovation and development.
P@SHA is committed to furthering its mission of promoting excellence in the IT industry through advocacy, networking, and capacity building. We are confident that together, we can achieve remarkable milestones in the year ahead.
Thank you for your continued support and participation. Here's to a prosperous year for all of us!
Regards,
P@SHA CEC
By the Members, For the Members
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January 8 ,2024
Coffee with HBL
HBL and P@SHA have collaborated to launch the inaugural "Coffee with HBL" session, marking a significant step towards positioning Pakistan as the premier tech destination. Our joint commitment is to provide technology professionals and ITeS exporters with customized solutions, fostering empowerment within the industry.
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January 14 ,2024
P@SHA at Arfa Karim event
We are delighted to share that P@SHA CEC members Ali Ihsan and Mudassir Malik, along with our Director of Brand and Global Outreach Kheezran Khan, were honored as guests of honor at the visionary Arfa Karim event hosted by the Arfa Karim Foundation.
As part of the event, P@SHA powered the engaging Panel Talk on "Empowering The Tech Workforce: The Role of Skill-Based Institutions in Bridging HR Requirements for Tech Companies." We are proud to have our CEC members, Ali Ihsan and Mudassir Malik, contribute as speakers in this insightful discussion.
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January 24 & 27 ,2024
P@SHA TownHall
P@SHA Town Halls in Lahore and Islamabad, held on 24th and 27th Jan, were a resounding success! Graced by Caretaker Federal IT Minister Dr. Umar Saif at Daftarkhwan, the events united key stakeholders. Chaired by P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan, along with P@SHA CEC and Secretary-General Nadeem A. Malik, the gatherings brought together industry leaders, academia, civil society, and media representatives to celebrate achievements and strategize solutions for challenges in Pakistan's thriving IT sector.
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January 25 ,2024
P@SHA at ACCA
On January 25th, P@SHA Secretary-General, Nadeem A. Malik, participated in an ACCA Pakistan panel on "AI & Fintech Reshaping Pakistan's Digital Transformation Landscape" during the Pakistan Leadership Conversation 2024 in Islamabad.
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PNY Conference X P@SHA
We are thrilled to announce that we were the Outreach Partner for PNY Conference 2024!
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Arfa Karim Foundation X P@SHA
We proudly announce our collaboration as a partner in reviving the vision of the Arfa Karim event, organized by the Arfa Karim Foundation. Together, we dedicated to bring to life the legacy she envisioned for a brighter and technologically enriched future.
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P@SHA X Monsha’at
P@SHA in collaboration with Monsha’at is thrilled to announce the Monsha’at AI Competition in Umrah 2024 - a global platform for innovative minds to showcase their prowess in Artificial Intelligence. The Artificial Intelligence Competition is designed to enable entrepreneurs to design development solutions and provide products based on artificial intelligence technologies in the Umrah sector and its supporting services.
Explore challenges that push boundaries and redefine possibilities in AI. For competition details, visit: https://thakaa.sa/en/challenges/ai-competition-2024-global
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P@SHA X Tecno Pakistan Mobile Summit
Thrilled to unveil our partnership with the e-commerce Summit for Pakistan 2023 as an Outreach Partner.
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January 9, 2024
Decoding the Digital Landscape in Pakistan
Asian Development Bank and Sustainable Development Policy Institute
P@SHA recently collaborated with the Asian Development Bank and SDPI teams to provide valuable insights for the development of the Pakistan Digital Diagnostic Report. The discussions delved into key areas vital for the country's digital growth. Entrepreneurship and youth engagement were highlighted, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young talent early on and enhancing their skill sets to meet the demands of the digital age. The necessity for digitization within the government sector emerged as a crucial aspect, promoting efficiency and transparency. Additionally, the dialogue emphasized the significance of Public-Private Partnerships, acknowledging the private sector's pivotal role. An essential point underscored the need for private sector funding to align with a robust business model, ensuring sustainable support for digital initiatives in Pakistan. These collaborative efforts aim to pave the way for a thriving digital landscape in the country.
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January 23, 2024
Reshaping the Discourse: The Way Forward for New Government – Economy, Energy, and Digital Transformation.
Sustainable Development Policy Institute
P@SHA was invited by SDPI to participate in a working group discussion on "Digital Transformation Reforms Agenda and Priorities for Pakistan post-2024 Election." P@SHA was represented by Vice Chairman Mr. Khurram Rahat, Policy Manager, Laraib Farhat, and Policy Associate, Gulraiz Iqbal. Mr. Rahat deliberated upon the IT sector's export potential and laid out a strategic roadmap for the next government. The roadmap included prioritizing taxation reform, robust cybersecurity legislation, a level playing field for local players, targeted digitalization incentives, dedicated support for IT innovation, and transformative procurement reforms.
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Ongoing Negotiations on Industry Demands
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
On January 25th, 2024, Chairman P@SHA, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, accompanied by CEC member Mohsin Ali, Secretary-General Nadeem A. Malik, and Policy Manager, Laraib Farhat convened a highly productive meeting with the Chairman of PTA. The primary focus of the meeting was to underscore the indispensable role of telecom regulators in developing trust and ensuring widespread internet accessibility. Chairman P@SHA, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts, stating that engagement with PTA is instrumental in shaping a tech-friendly ecosystem.
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Policy Consultation on Women Entrepreneurship Policy - Digital
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority
On January 31st, 2024, P@SHA was invited by Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) to participate in the policy consultation session on “Women Entrepreneurship Policy - Digital,” jointly organized by Revenue Mobilization Investment and Trade (ReMIT) and Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA). The consultation was joined by Policy Manager, Laraib Farhat and Research Lead, Kashif Hussain among other relevant stakeholders. The discussion points—in addition to others— put forward by the experts, laid great emphasis on closing the gap between the gender on mobile phone accessibility. Hence, in order to aim for a comprehensive Women Entrepreneurship Policy, P@SHA is to assist in providing its Diversity and Inclusion Framework (D&I) for integration. This will be of service in evaluating the performance using the D&I benchmark tool and analyze gaps that need attention.
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Central Executive Committee
3rd General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)
P@SHA achieves a milestone as it secures observer status at the 3rd General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), joining 33 global observers. Under Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan's leadership, P@SHA's role in fostering collaboration and positioning Pakistan as a tech destination is pivotal. Dr. Umar Saif's strategic outreach connects Pakistan with international IT leaders.
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P@SHA Chairman at World Economic Forum
P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan made a history at the World Economic Forum in Davos! From January 15-19, 2024, he was a prominent attendee, marking P@SHA's inaugural leadership presence at WEF.
He also took the stage as a Keynote Speaker at the prestigious Digital Pakistan Event by Path Finder.
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P@SHA CEC at PNY24 Conference
P@SHA Chair Industry Engagement & Startups Committee, Mudassir Malik, talked on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in academia at the PNY24 Conference organized by Wahab Yunus & Team. The key takeaways from his talk include AI's transformative impact on research, the urgency to include AI skills in education, and how AI shapes future product and service development. He emphasized proactive engagement with AI to stay relevant in the evolving tech landscape.
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P@SHA at Pakistan Entrepreneur Awards
On January 10th, P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan and CEC Member Azam Mughal attended the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan Entrepreneur Awards in Karachi. This flagship event recognizes entrepreneurs for their impactful contributions by highlighting their achievements on a national level.
The awards emphasize on the significant impact entrepreneurs have on job creation, opportunities, and the overall business ecosystem. By acknowledging these efforts, the event also seeks to enhance Pakistan's international image, paving the way for increased global opportunities.
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P@SHA CEC Member at Aptech's Annual Summit 2024
P@SHA CEC member Azam Mughal recently engaged with the dynamic team at Aptech's Annual Summit 2024. The statistics shared during the event were truly inspiring, showcasing over 25,000 enrollments nationwide. It's evident that Aptech, under the visionary leadership of Iqbal Yousuf, is making a substantial impact on skill development in the tech sector, contributing significantly to our nation's economy.
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Skills Committee
Pakistan Japan Center for Mutual Cooperation
P@SHA engaged in discussions with the Pakistan Japan Center for Mutual Cooperation to explore opportunities for upskilling youth for placement in the Japanese market. With P@SHA’s help they plan to launch a capacity building initiative after doing a gap analysis to enhance the potential of the local human resource to work in the Japanese market. The suggestion arose to create a dedicated portal tailored to this market's needs. Emphasizing collaboration, it was underscored that the Pakistan Japan Center would provide Japanese Market Research and contribute to the branding and promotion of the program.
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UN Women
UN Women initiated a dialogue with P@SHA to address gender equality in the IT sector. UN Women expressed their desire to offer skills training that extends beyond IT skills, encompassing entrepreneurship. They seek PASHA's assistance in both training and placing women in the sector. The emphasis is on digital literacy, home-based commerce for women, and establishing multipurpose centers in underserved areas of KP and Punjab. The proposal involves establishing solution-oriented hubs at the district level. Additionally, it was recommended to incorporate career counseling for young girls as an effective starting point for the digital literacy program.
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HEC Bootcamps
P@SHA is actively collaborating with HEC and MOITT to design a bootcamp. Industry-led trainers from Industry will be leading the program, and P@SHA is currently exploring various alternatives to engage industry trainers to maximize the effectiveness of the training sessions.
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January 1, 2024 |
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Sybrid's ongoing journey towards inclusivity |
We are proud to launch a comprehensive Diversity Dashboard. This dashboard isn’t just about numbers; it’s a testament to our commitment to transparency and accountability. It incorporates quarterly data for the year 2023, across multiple variables, offering a holistic view of the progress towards a more diverse and inclusive workplace. We strive to create an environment where every voice is heard, and unique perspectives are welcomed. We are committed to continuously improving, learning, evolving and happy to provide insights to other organizations into our diversity and inclusion practices. View Dashboard at: https://sybrid.com/diversity-d...
View Website
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January 1, 2024 |
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Sofstica Celebrates Dedication: A Special Tribute to Our Esteemed Team Members! |
Sofstica recently hosted the 'Sofstica Tribute Gathering,' an event dedicated to honoring our hardworking team members. This special occasion recognized the unwavering dedication, achievements, and contributions of our staff. Amidst an atmosphere of gratitude and celebration, employees were lauded for their exceptional commitment, innovative spirit, and collaborative efforts that have significantly propelled Sofstica's growth and success. The gathering was not just a tribute, but a testament to the strength and unity of our Sofstica family.
View Website
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January 8, 2023 |
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DI Revolutionizes Generative AI Accounting with 96% Accurate Bank Transaction Classification & Cashflow Forecasting |
Leveraging Generative AI, Digitalization Integrator (DI) has demonstrably enhanced cash flow forecasting accuracy for a US based Global Giant document technology firm.DI's LLM-powered transaction classification and forecasting solution boasts a groundbreaking 96% accuracy in bank transaction classification, eclipsing traditional models' 60%-80% range.This empowers the client with near real-time cash flow insights, enabling more confident financial projections. DI's LLM technology excels at analyzing unstructured data like transaction descriptions, overcoming limited data challenges. This success demonstrates the immense potential of Generative AI in revolutionizing the accounting industry.
View Website
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January 1, 2023 |
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Bridging the Digital Divide: SABAQ launches 'Connected Education' project in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
SABAQ has set the wheels in motion for the ‘Connected Education’ project in 142 refugee village schools, impacting 1200 teachers and reaching 29,000 students across Punjab, KPK and Balochistan.
The mission is clear: to enhance the educational opportunities of refugee communities through strategic utilisation of EdTech.
Working hand-in-hand with UNHCR, SABAQ has capitalized on the installation of LED screens and the provision of tablets to bring blended learning to the classrooms, combining traditional teaching methods with technology-integrated lessons.
Together with key stakeholders—teachers, students, and community members— we are paving the way towards a future where education knows no borders.
View Website
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Januray 20, 2023 |
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Reaching Horizons: Starting DigiTrends’ Norway Chapter |
DigiTrends captured this auspicious moment at its annual dinner on 20th January 2023, attended by the employees and various industry leaders.
The unveiling of the Norway website was conducted by Samad Saleem Founder and CEO of DigiTrends, along with Raja Khurram Iqbal CEO of DigiTrends Norway chapter, and CMO Henry Shek. The expansion to Norway unleashes many opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with market leaders and also initiates local connections with the public, fostering an environment of sustainability and growth.
View Website
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Welcome to P@sha Community |
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We proudly welcome the newest members of the PASHA community. Together let's forge a path for industry growth, success, and a better economic future powered by IT.
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26-29 February 2024
Web Summit Qatar
Web Summit Qatar joins the roster of international events organised by Web Summit, alongside Web Summit in Lisbon, Web Summit Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Collision in Toronto, and RISE in Hong Kong.
Web Summit Qatar takes place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) from February 26-29, 2024.
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4 – 7 March 2024
Leap 2024
LEAP is dubbed the most attended tech event in the world - and this year, we're getting a head start on putting together our delegation.
In 2024, LEAP will head back to Riyadh between March 4-7 to bring together the global technology ecosystem once more.
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22 – 24 May 2024
GITEX Africa
Get ready for an extraordinary tech experience! GITEX AFRICA features every major technology player, trend and vertical, and it covers sectors including smart cities, cybersecurity, the data economy, mobility, healthcare and telecoms.
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Secretariat |
Daftarkhwan North, Street 7, I-10/3, Islamabad Capital Territory 44800
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