HBL-P@SHA ICT Awards 2024: Celebrating Excellence in Pakistan’s IT Industry.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the leading representative organization for Pakistan’s flourishing IT sector, proudly organized the prestigious HBL-P@SHA ICT Awards 2024 at a local hotel in Islamabad on Monday. This distinguished event celebrated the “Made in Pakistan” initiative and recognized companies that have shown remarkable service and innovation in the country’s IT industry.

IT Exports Surge 27% YoY to $298mn in August 2024

Ms. Shaza Fatima Khwaja, Minister of State for Information Technology & Telecommunication, attended as the Chief Guest. Other notable guests included SIFC and government officials, diplomats, prominent IT industry representatives, startups, and influential figures.

The HBL-P@SHA ICT Awards 2024 acknowledged the most innovative solutions in Pakistan’s IT landscape, distributing 33 Gold Awards and 47 Merit Awards across various leading categories, such as Consumer, Business Services, Inclusion & Community, and Student Innovation. This year, P@SHA received an overwhelming response, with over 1,198 applications for these prestigious awards. During 15 rigorous judging rounds, seasoned industry experts evaluated to identify the top talent in the country.

In her speech, Chief Guest Ms. Shaza Fatima Khwaja expressed her heartfelt gratitude to P@SHA and HBL for organizing this esteemed event and their ongoing efforts to advance the IT industry in Pakistan. She stated, “The HBL-P@SHA ICT Awards showcase the creativity and excellence of our software and service firms, offering local, regional, and international recognition. These awards empower our innovators, startups, and students to display their talents on a global scale, including at the Asia-Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards.”

Highlighting P@SHA’s role and the significance of the awards, the Minister noted that P@SHA is crucial in shaping Pakistan’s digital future by fostering innovation and advancement in the IT and telecom sectors. Supporting and recognizing our software and service companies is essential for sustaining growth and positioning Pakistan on the global technology map. The HBL-P@SHA ICT Awards are vital in this endeavor, celebrating innovation and promoting the #MakeInPakistan initiative.

Ms. Shaza Fatima congratulated all nominees and winners, stating that their dedication and creativity are setting new benchmarks in technology and inspiring future generations of leaders. “Together, we are forging a brighter, more innovative future for Pakistan’s IT sector.”

During the event, Minister Shaza Fatima also updated participants on the government’s initiatives for the IT sector.

P@SHA Chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan remarked, “We have consistently aimed to engage with every governmental forum to address the legitimate needs of IT companies in the country. With SIFC’s strong support, our IT export figures are steadily rising and breaking records.”

Zohaib added that P@SHA is propelling Pakistan’s digital economy forward, fostering trust and enabling growth within the digital realm. By creating thousands of job opportunities and advocating for a more efficient and transparent government, P@SHA has played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s technological landscape. The association’s efforts have significantly contributed to a sustained increase in Pakistan’s IT exports, reaching $3.22 billion this year and continuing to rise—a strong indicator of the industry’s resilience and potential.

Chairman P@SHA extended his heartfelt congratulations to the winners, recognizing their exceptional contributions. “Today, we honor the best of Pakistan’s IT sector, celebrating, acknowledging, and empowering growth while proudly promoting the ‘Made in Pakistan’ brand.”

Abrar Ahmed Mir, Chief Innovation & Financial Inclusion Officer at HBL, commented, “HBL’s collaboration with P@SHA has been pivotal for the growth of Pakistan’s IT industry. Through our joint efforts, we’ve not only nurtured local talent but also provided a global platform for Pakistani IT firms to exhibit their capabilities. The HBL-P@SHA ICT Awards exemplify the extraordinary innovation and commitment of our industry, inspiring future generations to contribute to Pakistan’s digital transformation.”

Nadeem Aslam, Secretary General of P@SHA, thanked all participants for their presence and reiterated P@SHA’s commitment to fostering growth in Pakistan’s IT sector and digital economy.

Notably, these award-winning companies have demonstrated exceptional talent and will now represent Pakistan on the global stage at the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards in Brunei Darussalam later this year, bringing pride to the nation with their achievements.

The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by renowned Pakistani singer Aima Baig.