Davos
Pathfinder Group’s Pakistan Pavilion in Davos during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025. Focused on Pakistan’s digital innovation and progress. Digital Pakistan discusses efforts made in financial inclusion, agricultural digitization, and IT growth.
Moderated by Dr Huma Baqai, Senior Vice Chairperson of KCFR and Rector Millennium Institute of Technology & Entrepreneurship (MiTE), the Chief Guest was Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue. While the keynote address was delivered by Kelly Ommundsen, Head of Digital Inclusion at the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance. Esteemed speakers included Muhammad Salman Ali, CEO of VRG and Abu Bakr, CEO of Pakistan Software Export Board.
Muhammad Salman Ali discussed Pakistan’s progress in digital financial inclusion over the past few years. He explained how the Assan Mobile Account (AMA) Scheme, fully developed by Pakistanis, allows users to open a bank account via a simple shortcode in less than 2 minutes without needing an app or internet access. This initiative marks a major milestone for Pakistan, having created 12.2 million new accounts, with an impressive 36% owned by women. Moreover, the introduction of Agent Interoperability allows freedom to individuals to choose any agent for their financial transactions. The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ZTBL) gained the trust of half a million farmers get quick loans, bypassing exploitative middlemen.
Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti in a video message highlighted ZTBL’s commitment to supporting farmers in Pakistan and making banking more accessible. The country’s largest agricultural bank working to digitize farming services, especially for those without smartphones. ZTBL’s partnership with VRG aims to drive financial inclusion and strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy.
The need for innovative solutions to empower sectors like agriculture was highlighted by Kelly Ommundsen, who emphasized providing farmers with essential tools such as weather data and market prices to enhance their competitiveness. She pointed out the interconnectedness of digital access, education, and economic empowerment, explaining that addressing the digital divide requires a holistic approach.
Abu Bakar shared insights on Pakistan’s IT sector, highlighting $3.2 billion in exports last year and an expected increase to $4.2 billion this year.
He addressed concerns about regulations versus restrictions and emphasized the need for open access and minimal barriers. While acknowledging the challenges, he stressed that the focus should remain on growth and innovation within Pakistan’s IT landscape.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb spoke about Pakistan’s potential as a digital nation. “Collaboration, innovation, and re-skilling are the keys to unlocking Pakistan’s digital potential and driving sustainable growth.” He stressed that innovation, data analytics, and cohesive efforts can make Pakistan a hub for digital transformation.
Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of Pathfinder Group thanked the participants for sharing an optimistic vision for Pakistan’s digital future. He emphasized connecting systems, ensuring transparency, and fostering innovation, Pakistan can unlock significant economic growth and advance toward becoming a truly digital nation. He stressed the importance of collaboration and utilizing existing resources to their fullest potential.
