This event marks a significant milestone in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the national innovation ecosystem and to promote a knowledge-based digital economy in Pakistan.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ignite CEO Rafiq Ahmed Buriro, and a wide array of participants including founders, co-founders, CEOs, presidents, partners, vice presidents, directors, and general managers of private companies and startups, as well as officials from the MoITT and other distinguished guests.

In her address, Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to the Prime Minister’s “Digital Nation” Vision, emphasizing that these initiatives will accelerate innovation, empower entrepreneurship, and elevate Pakistan’s position on the global technology map.

She stated that the Prime Minister’s Cloud Enablement Program, the Pakistan Startup Fund, and BridgeStart Pakistan embody the government’s vision to empower startups, attract global investment, and position Pakistan as a competitive force in the global digital economy.

She further highlighted that the government is taking concrete measures to create an environment that encourages innovation, research, and entrepreneurship among youth. The Pakistan Startup Fund, she explained, has been established to further facilitate young entrepreneurs — enabling them to turn their creative ideas into practical solutions for global challenges.


The Prime Minister praised the country’s IT industry for its remarkable progress, noting that Pakistan’s tech sector is demonstrating exceptional growth, and that the national leadership is fully committed to its continued expansion and advancement.

Addressing the event, Rafiq Ahmed Buriro said that Ignite, under the guidance of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, will ensure the implementation of these transformative programs. The Cloud Enablement Program, Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF), and BridgeStart Pakistan collectively form three foundational pillars for startup success — infrastructure, investment, and international exposure — aimed at building a robust and sustainable innovation ecosystem.

He elaborated that the Prime Minister’s Cloud Enablement Program is designed to give startups access to world-class cloud infrastructure through partnerships with leading global providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Huawei Cloud. The program offers reimbursement-based cloud credits to eligible startups, allowing them to scale efficiently, innovate rapidly, and adopt emerging technologies such as AI, FinTech, HealthTech, and e-commerce.

The Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF) aims to bridge the early-stage investment gap by offering up to 30% equity-free grants, reducing risk for private investors and stimulating venture capital inflow into Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.

Meanwhile, BridgeStart Pakistan connects startups with global accelerators and investors, enabling them to participate in international programs and gain access to global markets for their products.

During the event, graduates of BridgeStart Pakistan were recognized for their outstanding performance in international acceleration and incubation programs. They were presented with cheques and certificates in acknowledgment of their achievements.
These startups included Motovest, PayMo, Cha Jao Tech, Enlight Solutions, Sahl, Thingstee, Kashmeta, Adversity, Creative 3D, and Wizer Machines, all of which represented Pakistan on international platforms and established key investor connections.

These initiatives reflect the Ministry’s strong commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem through policy support, funding, and infrastructure development.
Together, the Prime Minister’s Cloud Enablement Program, the Pakistan Startup Fund, and BridgeStart Pakistan form a unified national framework — one that turns dreams into reality and paves the way for building a truly digital nation.