Riyadh : The international IT exhibition LEAP has kicked off in Saudi Arabia, drawing significant participation from around the globe, including Pakistan. Held at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, the four-day event features over 1,800 IT companies showcasing their innovations and services. Among these, Pakistan has a notable presence with 80 stalls set up by its IT firms.
The Pakistani pavilion was inaugurated by Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who also took the time to review the stalls and interact with participants. During the inauguration, she highlighted Pakistan’s growing prominence in the field of information technology, emphasizing that Pakistani IT professionals are making their mark globally. She extended an invitation to Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s burgeoning tech sectors, including fintech, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
Minister Khawaja underscored the potential for digital investment and technical cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, describing it as a “golden opportunity” for both nations. Her remarks reflect Pakistan’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and attracting foreign investment to its IT industry.
The exhibition has attracted thousands of domestic and international visitors, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and showcasing cutting-edge technological advancements. Pakistan’s active participation in LEAP underscores its ambition to position itself as a key player in the global IT landscape and to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia in the tech domain.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for Information Technology, emphasized the growing digital and economic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia during her speech at LEAP 2025. She highlighted that this collaboration is being further expanded, reflecting the shared vision of both nations to strengthen ties in the technology and digital sectors.
In her address, she announced that Pakistan will soon host the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) Forum in Islamabad, where global investors will be invited to participate. This initiative aims to showcase Pakistan’s potential as a hub for digital innovation and attract foreign investment in its rapidly growing IT sector.
Minister Khawaja reiterated that Pakistan is offering world-class digital services and emphasized the country’s readiness to provide a conducive environment for investors. She pointed out that there are exceptional opportunities for investment in Pakistan’s tech ecosystem, particularly in areas such as fintech, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies.
Her remarks underscore Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging its IT capabilities to foster international partnerships, drive economic growth, and position itself as a key player in the global digital economy. The upcoming DFDI Forum is expected to further solidify Pakistan’s appeal to global investors and strengthen its digital infrastructure.