Dubai — October 13, 2025:
Pakistan marked a major milestone in its global tech journey by inaugurating its national pavilion at Expand North Star 2025, the region’s largest technology and innovation event, featuring ten leading Pakistani startups showcasing cutting-edge solutions in fintech, AI, healthtech, and edtech.
Held at Dubai Harbor from October 12–15, the event brings together innovators and investors from over 100 countries. Pakistan’s participation, led by Ignite – National Technology Fund under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), highlights the nation’s growing footprint in the global digital economy.
The pavilion was officially inaugurated by Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s envoy to the UAE, alongside Rafique Ahmed Buriro, Additional Secretary at MoITT and CEO of Ignite.
Ambassador Tirmizi revealed that Pakistan’s IT exports to the UAE reached $376 million in FY2024–25, while overall IT exports exceeded $3.76 billion, showcasing the country’s digital growth momentum.
“The participation of Pakistani startups at Expand North Star 2025 reflects our vision to empower youth through technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” said Rafique Buriro, emphasizing the government’s focus on nurturing globally competitive startups.
He invited global investors and entrepreneurs to visit the Pakistan Pavilion (Hall 8, Stand H8-B180) to explore opportunities for collaboration and investment.
According to officials, over 40 independent Pakistani startups are also participating across various exhibition zones, drawing strong investor interest. Several venture capital firms, accelerators, and corporate partners have expressed enthusiasm for Pakistan’s innovation potential, noting the country’s ability to produce scalable and investment-ready ventures.
The event reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to digital transformation and entrepreneurship, positioning its startups as key players in the regional innovation ecosystem and reinforcing its image as a rising technology hub in South Asia.
