[Davos, Jan 23rd, Thursday]—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.
