P@SHA PULSE Vol 12. September & October 2023 Edition
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Dear Members
Over the last two months, we have been engaged in successful execution of the P@SHA ICT Awards, preparing for our APICTA Delegation, facilitating our member companies in GITEX and Oslo Innovation Week and above all working with SIFC and Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh to organise a B2B and B2G delegation to KSA. Delegation to KSA was the highlight considering the importance of the growing opportunities in Tech for Saudi companies.
We are also very delighted to highlight and announce the historic collaboration between HBL and P@SHA, where HBL has stepped forward to support the ICT Sector through their generous sponsorship as well as opening up several services for IT sector and P@SHA members.
We look forward to this continued growth of our sector and seek your support in growing it together.
Regards,
P@SHA CEC
By the Members, For the Members
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September 25 - 29 ,2023
Oslo Innovation Week 2023
Our recent delegation from P@SHA had an exciting visit to Oslo, participating in the Oslo Innovation Week 2023. The delegation explored Oslo Science Park, gaining insights into innovation and cutting-edge technologies. They successfully organized the Pak-Oslo B2B Tech Connect event, bringing together industry leaders, IT innovators, and government stakeholders from Pakistan and Norway. Attending the PropTech Summit provided valuable insights into global trends in real estate and property technology. The SWITCH Conference allowed our delegates to engage with technology leaders and explore the transformative power of digitalization.
During their visit to the House of Math, our delegation met with Vibeke Gwendoline Fængsrud and her team, learning about their inspiring journey in developing math education software used by millions globally, including a substantial user base in Pakistan.
At Telenor's HQ, led by P@SHA CEC Member Jamil Goheer and H.E. Ambassador Saadia Altaf, the delegation had a high-level meeting exploring sustainability, external relations, and innovation, including a demo of a Large Language Model-based VoiceBot. Additionally, a special event hosted by SMB Norge provided an excellent opportunity to connect with tech founders and professionals, fostering impactful conversations and strengthening ties between the IT industries of Pakistan and Norway. Stay tuned for more updates as we reflect on the success of our participation in OIW2023!
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September 30 ,2023
Delegation To Riyadh
P@SHA's leadership, including Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Secretary General Nadeem Aslam Malik, along with representatives from PSEB, embarked on a fruitful visit to Riyadh on September 30. Accompanied by Pakistan's IT Minister Umar Saif, they engaged in impactful discussions with Monshaat, Saudi Minister of Investment H.E. Khalid al-Falih, and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The visit resulted in significant milestones, including an MoU with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communication & IT, laying the foundation for collaboration between Pakistani IT companies and startups in Saudi Arabia. Exploring partnerships with Saudi Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi Telecom (STC) opens doors to exciting possibilities and potential investments in startups and the telecom sector. The delegation, including P@SHA CEC members Jamil Goheer and Shahzad Shahid, also met with the honorable Minister of Investments, Mr. Khalid A. Alfalih, discussing crucial topics such as bilateral trade and joint projects, signaling a promising era of collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
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October 16- 20 ,2023
GITEX Dubai
P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan, along with the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, Hussain Muhammed, inaugurated the Ignite Pakistan Pavilion at Expand North Star 2023 in Dubai. Showcasing 45 disruptive startups across FinTech, healthcare, eCommerce, and more, these innovators are putting Pakistan on the global tech map. Meanwhile, at GITEX Global 2023, the HBL P@SHA Connect Pak-UAE edition was a triumph, featuring keynote speakers Ambassador H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Minister IT & Telecom Dr. Umar Saif, and P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan.
Day 1 was filled with tech talks and engagement, setting the stage for insightful B2B meetings and networking opportunities in the following days. Day 2 witnessed the dynamic Industry Tech Talk at GITEX Global! Asif Peer, CEO of System Limited, Naseer Akhtar, CEO of Infotech, and Taha Hashmi, VP of Global Market and Strategy, shared insights that redefine the tech landscape. Chairman P@SHA, Muhammad Zohaib Khan, shared expertise at a Tech Business Networking event hosted by the Iranian Association on Day 3. The visit concluded with a notable meeting between the Secretary of IT and Pakistani IT companies, emphasizing the significance of collaboration in the global tech landscape.
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October 16- 20 ,2023
GITEX Dubai
At GITEX Global 2023, the HBL P@SHA Connect Pak-UAE edition was a triumph. Our lineup of distinguished keynote speakers included Ambassador H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Minister IT & Telecom Dr. Umar Saif, P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan, PSEB CCO Zeeshan Rehman Khattak, and HBL's Chief Innovation & Financial Inclusion Officer Abrar Mir.
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August 30th - 2nd September, 2023
ITCN 2023
At ITCN 2023, P@SHA's presence shone brightly. Our Secretary General, Nadeem Malik, delivered an impactful address during the inauguration session. Caretaker IT and Telecom Minister Umar Saif inaugurated the P@SHA booth, joined by CEC members and our secretariat team.
Day 2 was bustling with activity. Hassan Naseer, Chief of Global Cooperation and Partnerships at the Digital Cooperation Organization, visited our stall, showcasing our cutting-edge technology. Our skills session provided attendees with the latest industry knowledge, while the policy session offered insights into the future of tech regulations.
Day 3 witnessed remarkable tech brilliance, with active participation from our CEC members and SG in the CIO summit. P@SHA's Cybersecurity Committee organized a thought-provoking cybersecurity conference, diving into critical aspects of the field. Another highlight was the AGG session, "Pixels Empowered," exploring how Government Funding is shaping the future of Animation and Gaming, revealing the dynamic potential of these industries.
These moments of collaboration, leadership, and innovation underscore our unwavering commitment to shaping the future of technology.
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September 4, 2023
CXO meetup in Hyderabad
Our recent CXO meetup in Hyderabad was a resounding success! It provided a valuable platform for networking and bringing together industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and innovators. Amidst dynamic discussions and idea exchange, the event catalyzed collaboration and progress in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Excitingly, we also inked a Regional Chapter MOU with HiSHA, marking a pivotal moment in our commitment to technological growth and regional connectivity.
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September 20 ,2023
Meeting with ASEAN diplomats
On 20 September 2023, a delegation of ASEAN diplomats gathered at our office in Islamabad to get a comprehensive insight into P@SHA and Pakistan's IT industry. The APICTA Awards were highlighted as an important showcase of Pakistan's remarkable achievements and IT innovation, evidenced by its strong participation in this prestigious competition.
Women's presence in tech was also a focal point, with emphasis on initiatives to foster inclusivity and gender diversity. Insights were also shared about incubation centers which function as vital hubs for nurturing tech innovation and startups in Pakistan. This meeting marked a significant step in strengthening international collaborations to advance Pakistan's thriving IT sector. A shield was presented to P@SHA by the foreign office for its role in achieving this.
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October 13 ,2023
8th Islamabad Policy Exchange Roundtable
P@SHA was invited to participate in the 8th Islamabad Policy Exchange Roundtable held at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad on 13th October 2023.
Pakistan Single Window shared insights into the mandate of its functions and the scope of its operations.
Experts from academia, government, and the private sector participated in the discussion.
P@SHA was represented by Gulraiz Iqbal from the Policy team.
P@SHA shared its insights on the growing potential of the IT& ITeS sector and the challenges that the industry navigates through in the realm of policy consistency.
Under the leadership of Secretary General, Nadeem Malik, P@SHA has been actively advocating for a business enabling environment for the IT& ITeS sector.
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Partnership: P@SHA X HBL
In a groundbreaking collaboration focused on innovation and technological excellence, P@SHA and HBL have officially joined forces to foster the growth of Pakistan's IT industry. The momentous agreement was witnessed by Caretaker Federal Minister For Information Technology & Telecommunication Dr. Umar Saif, alongside Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Muhammad Aurangzeb, President of HBL.
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Partnership: P@SHA X Total Communications
P@SHA and Total Communications, have joined hands for a member benefits partnership for their signature industry events for the whole year. Together, we embark on a journey of innovation and collaboration. Stay tuned to our social media channels for exciting event updates and opportunities!
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Central Executive Committee
P@SHA Chairman and Sindh Governor Meeting
On September 16th, P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori met for a fruitful discussion to explore the IT Skills Mass Level Plan - a remarkable initiative to transform approximately 43,000 sq feet of unused space in the Governor House into a hub for IT skills training programs.
What sets this initiative apart is Governor Tessori's deep understanding that the foundation of producing high-quality, industry-ready tech professionals lies in having master trainers, demand-driven courses, and eligible candidates.
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P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan meeting with Josh Woodard
P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan met Josh Woodard (Senior Digital Advisor, USAID Washington) and Kamran Niazi (USAID) to discuss the challenges & opportunities for AI in Pakistan. Focused on evaluating the sector's potential as an area for intervention, USAID has developed an Action Plan to promote AI in its partner countries so it can play a major role in global development. P@SHA members Mesum Raza (Karachi AI), Mustansir Mustafa (10Pearls), Syed Asim Zaffar & Syed Jawed Ali (Itanz Group), Adnan Zaidi (Proxima), Imran Moinuddin (Venture Dive), and Umair Azam (Integration Xperts) were also present to attend this critical discussion.
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P@SHA Meeting With Shispare
On September 28, 2023, the Chairman of P@SHA, Mr. Zohaib Khan, and CEC member Azam Mughal visited Shispare, a member company at NASTP Karachi. During their visit, they engaged in meaningful discussions with various companies to explore opportunities for IT companies to establish a presence at NASTP.
The visit was attended by Dr. Shoaib, Project Director at NASTP, and Arsalan Khan, representing Shispare. This visit holds promising prospects for growth and collaboration within the IT industry.
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Skills Committee
Panel Discussion held at ITCN: Filling the Void: Navigating the Industry-Academia Gap
P@SHA L&D department organized a panel discussion on the topic of Filling the Void: Navigating the Industry-Academia Gap. The panel included presentations from all stakeholders relevant to the discussion including Ali Ihsan (SVC/Skills committee chair) as the moderator representing P@SHA CEC and Skills Committee, Asif Ikram - Secretary ISTD, Raza Sukhera - CIDO PSEB, Hira Zainab - VP Contour, Zubair Shaikh - President MAJU and Shamim Rajani - FOunder & COO Genetech Solutions.
The session commenced with an informative presentation highlighting P@SHA's achievements in the realm of skills development thus far, and it illuminated the organization's future strategies for tackling this critical issue. Subsequently, a comprehensive discussion unfolded, delving into the multifaceted challenges posed by talent shortages and skills gaps. The esteemed panel explored various interventions, such as boot camps, the industry-academia bridge, scholarships, curriculum enhancements, and university teacher training.
To encapsulate the wealth of insights generated during the session, a meticulous report was crafted. This report was subsequently shared with both the SIFC and PSEB, catalyzing the implementation of pertinent interventions.
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SIFC Stakeholder Meetings throughout September to plan the SKills Interventions to address the skills gap and Talent Shortage.
The Secretary-General, Skills Chair, and Manager of L&D actively participated in a series of meetings held by the SIFC to plan the right interventions to address the challenges of the industry on talent shortage and skills gap and to come up with a strategy to train maximum resources on the most sought after skills.
The industry’s feedback and input were the basis of any initiative being proposed by the government. P@SHA made sure to provide recommendations on which skills are required and what type of training best addresses the requirements of the industry. The interventions being planned include Bootcamps, Industry-Academia Bridge, Certifications, and other initiatives.
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Animation and Games Committee
Roundtable held at ITCN: Pixels Empowered: Government Funding's Role in Animation and Gaming
P@SHA Held a roundtable with the stakeholders from Public and private sectors including both industry and academia to explore the key challenges faced by the Animation and Games Sector, aiming to pinpoint diverse strategies through which governmental interventions can be devised and executed effectively. The roundtable resulted in a very focused discussion on the challenges specific to both the Animation and Games industries and what interventions can best address those challenges.
Ignite and PSEB were part of the discussion. They took feedback from the industry and shared their own plans on the execution of CEGA and PSEB’s interventions to help the subsectors reach their potential.
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September 1, 2023 |
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Sybrid launches its first Diversity Report highlighting company's commitment to fostering diversity & inclusion at multiple levels. |
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental values for us at Sybrid, and to highlight these values we launched our very first diversity report in 15 years. The report highlights company's commitment to fostering diversity & inclusion across gender, religion, geographical location, function and ethnicity. We have made efforts to foster an environment where diversity thrives, enriching the experiences of our colleagues, customers, and the communities we engage with.
Join us for a better and inclusive future!
View Website
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September 1, 2023 |
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NovaTechX: Pioneering the Future of Innovation Education |
NovaTechX LLC, USA - A global tech finishing school is proud to unveil its revolutionary program designed to empower the next generation in the fields of 4th industrial and green technology. Under the visionary of industry leadership of M. Salahuddin Khan and Imran Khan, NTX empowers students, professionals, researchers, and entrepreneurs to excel in product development and technology education through experiential learning and mentorship. NTX groundbreaking 4 & 8-months program, are curated to immerse participants in the world of product development within the realm of the 4th Industrial and green technology. NTX is a bridge between academia and the real world!
View Website
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September 1, 2023 |
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Edraak Systems won grant from Planning Commission for their innovative AI Tech |
Pakistan Innovation Fund was granted to Edraak Systems to achieve UN SDG9. The AI/ML solutions developed for the manufacturing industry were promoted by the planning minister and the top entrepreneurs in Pakistan as judges. PIF was a shark tank like national competition for the 1st time in Pakistan and was broadcast on PTV where Edraak System's Digitalization of the Textile industry won the full amount for the grant.
View Website
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September 4, 2023 |
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Sofcom Revolutionizes HR Operations with HARMONY – The HCM Platform |
Sofcom, leading the charge in business process automation since 1992, proudly presents HARMONY, its Human Capital Management (HCM) software.
HARMONY offers comprehensive employee lifecycle management, serving diverse industries like Pharmaceuticals, Textile, Banking, Logistic, etc.
Introducing DESTINY, our premium payroll outsourcing service, ensuring precision in salary calculations, tax reporting, and much more.
Sofcom now revolutionizes hiring with an innovative Applicant Tracking System (ATS) as a part of HARMONY, streamlining recruitment through resume parsing and analytics.
Trusted by industry leaders, join them in transforming HR operations. Contact for inquiries or demos at +92 21 3496 6991 or contact@sofcom.net.
View Website
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September 19, 2023 |
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Bitsol Technologies Shines at TC Disrupt 2023: Unveiling Tech Excellence! |
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, Bitsol Technologies shone brightly, marking a significant impact on the tech world. Booth H17 buzzed with activity, transforming into a hub of excitement and innovation. Productive conversations, explorations of potential partnerships, and the acquisition of quality leads, along with the signing of promising MoUs, highlighted the engagement. Attendees relished insightful talks with CEO Muhammad Javeed and CTO Zahid Riaz, crafting lasting memories. As the event concludes, Bitsol Technologies eagerly anticipates further extraordinary experiences while capitalizing on these opportunities and venturing into new horizons in the tech industry.
View Website
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2 - 5 December , 2023
Pakistan Qatar Delegation
The Pakistan Qatar Delegation is taking place from 2 to 5 December. Taking place at the prestigious Ritz Carlton Hotel, this event is the outcome of a collaboration between P@SHA, PSEB, TDAP, and SIFC. It has been organized by the Pakistan Business Council Qatar.
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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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18 – 22 March 2024
GDC 2024
Get ready for an extraordinary tech experience! GDC 2024, renowned as a global game-changer in the tech world, is on the horizon, and we're thrilled to kickstart the planning for our official P@SHA delegation.
In 2024, GDC will take center stage in San Francisco from March 18 to 22, attracting the global gaming community for five days of innovation and networking.
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Secretariat |
Daftarkhwan North, Street 7, I-10/3, Islamabad Capital Territory 44800
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