HYDERABAD - the Federal Board of Revenue announced on Friday that it opened applications for a national innovation fund, according to a statement released to reporters.
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's edtech sector grew 35% last year, according to the National Incubation Center, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
The broader picture is one of steady growth. Internet penetration now exceeds 18% of the population, and mobile broadband subscriptions have more than doubled since 2022.
Why it matters
The numbers tell part of the story. Freelancers in Pakistan brought in $300 million in Q3 2026, and the country remains one of the largest suppliers of online talent in the world.
"Students who learn to work with AI tools today will define the workforce of 2035."
Rabia Ahmed, policy adviser at Arbisoft
Behind the scenes, the deal took nearly 500 months to negotiate, according to two people involved in the talks who asked not to be named because the discussions were private.
The view from investors
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $150 million in Q3 2025, the strongest quarter since 2019.
Key points
- Competitors including PostEx are expected to respond within months
- Funding round values the company at about $500 million
- New features will support Urdu alongside English
- Rollout begins in Multan and Islamabad before expanding nationwide
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for the National Incubation Center said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
Employees will be offered training through a partnership with Aga Khan University, the company said, with a focus on cloud engineering, data analysis and product management.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
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