Pakistan’s Digital Dream
As part of a series of conversations on digital issues, or “Digital Deep Dives,” Tabadlab’s Centre for Digital Transformation is convening experts to discuss how Pakistan can create a forward-thinking digital vision given the country’s ground realities. With these series of conversations, CDT’s aim is to shift the nexus of conversation from “IT” to “digital” and prompt a forward-thinking national discourse This policy roundtable will test our initial hypothesis about the key constituent elements of a digital ecosystem. During the session, Tabadlab hopes to explore several questions including the core enablers required to power a digital ecosystem; the technological priorities and public processes that need to be set in place to boost Pakistan’s digital transformation journey; and the goals that Pakistan should be pursuing.
Naeha Rashid leads Tabadlab’s work on digital transformation, leveraging technology solutions to improve the quality of people’s lives, and catalysing digital innovation inclusion both in Pakistan and abroad. She has an MPP from Harvard University and a BA (Hons) in International Development and Economics from McGill University.
Dr Sohail Munir is an Advisor at Dubai Digital Authority. He has over 25 years of experience in GovTech, smart city, FinTech and digital transformation. He is also involved in policymaking and legislation processes for Blockchain, digital ID & signature and digital payments for the Dubai government.
Dr. Ali Mahmud is Managing Director of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IT Board, with diverse experience of over 17 years in the Information Technology sector. He was previously Chief Information & Strategy Officer at KPEZDMC, worked on policy interventions, and co-developed the Digital Policy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Armando Espanol is a Berkman Klein Fellow at Harvard University and a lawyer by profession. He has advised public & private entities globally on data protection, AI policy and innovation. Currently, he is a consultant for the Development Bank of Latin America.
Nigham Shahid is Insights Manager at GSMA Mobile for Development with expertise in supporting GSMA partners and government stakeholders, to implement digital solutions to socio-economic challenges and sustainable development.
Meenah Tariq is CEO & co-founder at Metric, she is a venture capitalist investor turned entrepreneur. She is also a Partner at Karavan and has supported thousands of startups and entrepreneurs in the last decade.
Dr Faisal Khan is an Associate Professor at Balochistan University of Information, Technology, Engineering & Management Sciences. He has worked with Communications Systems Center (CSC) at Georgia Institute of Technology, and is on the Board of Directors for Ignite Technology Fund Pakistan & National Technology Council.
