During the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, the Pathfinder Group on January 23, 2025 hosted the “Digital Pakistan Lunch” at the Pakistan Pavilion. This event was designed to acknowledge Pakistan’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and fostering financial inclusion. Moderating the Session Dr. Huma Baqai, Senior Vice Chairperson of the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) and Rector of the Millennium Institute of Technology & Entrepreneurship (MiTE) highlighted the significance of aligning with the WEF’s 2025 theme, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age,” emphasizing that nations must adapt to technological advancements to avoid being left behind. Noting Pakistan’s substantial progress in digital connectivity, citing an internet penetration rate of 45.7% and cellular mobile connections nearing 80%, she stressed the importance of leveraging mobile technology to overcome infrastructural challenges and bridge the digital divide, drawing parallels with successful initiatives in Africa.
What was satisfying for Pakistan was that the Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) initiative was a focal point of the discussion. This is a significant step towards financial inclusivity in Pakistan. Muhammad Salman Ali, CEO of Virtual Remittance Gateway (VRG), elaborated on the impact of AMA in empowering individuals, promoting women’s financial participation, and facilitating upward social mobility. He acknowledged the initial resistance faced by the initiative but expressed gratitude for robust support from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Highlighting the bank’s pivotal role in supporting the nation’s farmers. Mr Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti, President and CEO of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL). He emphasized ZTBL’s recent initiatives to digitize agricultural financing, including the development of mobile banking and digital payment systems. Recognizing that 60% of their half a million customers do not use smartphones, ZTBL has partnered with Virtual Remittance Gateway (VRG) to implement Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) solutions. This collaboration enables farmers to access banking services from any mobile device, irrespective of internet connectivity, thereby promoting financial inclusion and empowering rural communities.
Kelly Ommundsen, Head of Digital Inclusion at the World Economic Forum (WEF), emphasized the importance of meeting individuals where they are in terms of digital access, saying that while advanced technologies like AI are significant, it’s crucial to ensure basic connectivity for all
especially in sectors like agriculture. Ommundsen noted that providing farmers with access to weather data and market prices enhances their economic competitiveness. She also mentioned that the EDISON Alliance plans to incorporate agriculture as a focus area, aligning with initiatives like VRG’s efforts in Pakistan. She mentioned WEF’s Ad promoting Pakistan’s AMA Scheme (https:// www.weforum.org/videos/edisonalliance-pakistan/)
Abu Bakar, CEO of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), spoke about the robust growth of Pakistan’s IT sector, noting a 28% increase in exports during the first half of the fiscal year, positioning the country to surpass $4.2 billion in IT exports by year’s end. He emphasized the significant role of the approximately 2.3 million active freelancers in Pakistan, who contribute substantially to foreign remittances. Pakistan’s export-friendly policies, including tax exemptions on export earnings, have been pivotal in this growth.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue, emphasized the nation’s commitment to digital transformation across various sectors, successful initiatives like the Asaan Mobile Account, Raast payment gateway, and the comprehensive data integration by NADRA, which collectively enhance financial inclusion and transparency. Aurangzeb noted Pakistan’s significant freelance workforce and the necessity of reskilling and upskilling to meet future digital demands. He also emphasized the importance of integrating blockchain technology and developing a well-regulated digital asset framework to modernize the financial sector
In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, the need to cultivate and empower future leaders is pronounced. Reflecting on my participation in the World Economic Forum and the privilege of hosting five significant events at the Pakistan Pavilion, I am reminded of the critical need to engage Pakistan’s youth in leadership development. This realization led to the inception of an initiative aimed at bridging generational gaps and fostering a collaborative environment for Generation Z and millennials. “Pathfinder’s Challenge Leadership Series: Success amongst Future Leaders”, was a collaborative effort with Providentia Books Foundation and the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) held at Amaani Bagh. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Air Commodore Khalid Banuri for being instrumental in bringing this vision to fruition.
Students from Air University and Quaid-i-Azam University divided into four groups. Under the mentorship of distinguished professionals—including Imran Jattala (the Project Director of the National Incubation Centre for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT)), AVM Asad Ikram (DG Innovation in National Radio Telecommunication Corporation, Salman Haider (founder and CEO of Urban Communications, and Haidiri Construction & Engineering), and Talha Tufail Bhatti (heading the ‘Strengthening Regional Climate Resilience’ program at the Institute of Regional Studies—the participants delved into pressing topics such as the fear of failure, climate challenges, emerging technologies, and startup ventures.
Dr Baqai’s keynote address, drawing from her extensive experience in training, served as a profound source of inspiration for all attendees. In a video message by Dr Omar Khalid Butt and Ms Ammara Awais, Member of the Board of Governors (BoG) at the University of Lahore spoke about the importance of character building and resilience required to resolve multifaceted challenges. The insightful group presentations and active participation showed the readiness of the young participants to excel in their respective paths.
I can ensure that by providing platforms for mentorship, open dialogue, and experiential learning, we can prepare the leaders of tomorrow to drive positive change in an increasingly interconnected world.
As I reflect on these leadership events, it is also fitting to honour the memory of Maj Agha Humayun Amin, who passed away on February 21, 2025. Major Amin who was the Assistant Editor DJ for some years, hailed from a distinguished military lineage, with ancestors serving since the late nineteenth century. Commissioned in May 1983 into the elite 11 Prince Albert Victor’s Own (PAVO) Cavalry, he was known for his unconventional approach and candidness. After retiring from the army in 1994, Major Amin became a prolific military historian, authoring numerous books and articles that critically examined military strategies and decisions. His unwavering commitment to truth and his fearless critique of established norms made him a respected yet controversial figure. His legacy serves as a testament to intellectual bravery and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Ikram Sehgal
