Pakistan has established 43 Software Technology Parks (STPs) across the country, housing over 350 IT firms and employing 18,000 professionals. The government is developing major IT parks in Karachi and Islamabad to further strengthen the ICT sector, creating thousands of jobs and boosting IT exports. A digital transformation strategy is underway.
SAFE and iot squared have signed an MoU to collaborate on secure IoT solutions in Saudi Arabia. The partnership focuses on developing new security technologies, including SaaS offerings, and integrating advanced security solutions like PSIM software and video surveillance, contributing to the growth of the IoT infrastructure and security sectors.
Barq, a Saudi fintech company, has partnered with Alipay+ to enhance cross-border payments, becoming part of Alipay+’s international network. This collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by improving financial transactions and boosting tourism. Barq’s previous partnership with Mastercard in 2024 further strengthens its payment solutions.
Eng. Ahmed Al-Anqari of Etihad Salam Telecom discussed innovations in telecommunications at LEAP 2025. He highlighted the company’s focus on supporting SMEs, promoting sustainability through eco-friendly solutions, and providing advanced technologies to drive digital transformation. Etihad Salam aims to contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Pakistan is progressing with the development of its National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT), expected to be fully operational by June 2025. The initiative is part of the Cyber Security for Digital Pakistan program, aiming to improve national cybersecurity through legislative frameworks, capacity-building, and international cooperation to address emerging threats.
Pakistan’s National Assembly discussed slow internet speeds, expressing frustration over connectivity issues. Sabheen Ghoury, the Parliamentary Secretary for Information Technology, assured improvements by mid-year, along with the rollout of 5G services. Lawmakers emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the problem, making it a priority for the coming months.
Alpha Data, a UAE tech company, has announced its IPO offering 400 million shares at Dh0.03 each, set to list on ADX in March. With a 5% retail investor allocation, the IPO is expected to raise Dh130 million in dividends. Alpha Data has a strong track record in enterprise systems integration.
At the World Governments Summit, UAE and Bahrain officials emphasized the importance of investing in digital resilience infrastructure, cybersecurity, and building trust in digital systems. They discussed how AI could pose cybersecurity threats and highlighted the need for global cooperation to achieve true digital resilience and secure governance.
NORTHSTAR Technology and HFCL have announced a strategic partnership at the Fiber Connect Mena Conference in Dubai. The collaboration focuses on enhancing fibre infrastructure across Bahrain and the Middle East, aligning with the region’s push for AI-driven fibre networks to support digital transformation and future telecom needs.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance digital and technology partnerships, focusing on AI, cloud computing, and fintech. The collaboration aims to support Pakistani startups and SMEs in accessing the Saudi market, simplify licensing processes, and promote joint research and development initiatives to drive regional growth and innovation.
