Lahore : Pakistan’s largest technology festival, ITCN Asia 2026, concluded at the Expo Centre Lahore with an anticipated economic impact exceeding USD 750 million, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing position as a global technology and innovation hub. The 27th edition brought together the country’s digital ecosystem, showcasing advanced technologies and enabling cross-border collaboration and unlocking new pathways for trade, joint ventures, and long-term investment with several companies reporting joint ventures and multimillion-dollar business deals, reflecting strong investor confidence.
Organized by Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, with Tech Destination Pakistan as the presenting partner, ITCN Asia 2026 was held under the patronage of SIFC with strategic support from STZA. The three-day event featured over 800 exhibition stalls and attracted more than 75,000 visitors, including foreign delegates and business leaders, reflecting strong international confidence in Pakistan’s technology market.
A connectivity enhancement agreement was signed between Gilgit-Baltistan Software House Association and Premier Cables. The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on strengthening communication and digital infrastructure in the region, aiming to improve connectivity, expand access, and support long-term socio-economic development. The event’s strategic significance was further highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between China’s IBI International Group and Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan, aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s technology and industrial ecosystem through technology transfer, increased foreign investment, enhanced trade, and employment generation.
A major highlight of ITCN Asia 2026 was the Global CISO Summit, which reaffirmed the platform’s position as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s cybersecurity ecosystem. With participation from over 50 countries, the summit was led by Dr Erdal Ozkaya, President of the Global CISO Forum, alongside Global Advisor Syed Abdul Qadir. The forum brought together over 500 senior cybersecurity and technology leaders, including CISOs, CxOs, policymakers, solution providers, and overseas Pakistani executives, successfully bridging global best practices with local expertise and strengthening Pakistan’s digital resilience.
Commenting on the successful conclusion, Umair Nizam, Group Director,
Ecommerce Gateway Group, said, “ITCN Asia 2026 has once again demonstrated Pakistan’s immense potential as a global technology powerhouse. The scale of participation, strong international engagement, and a projected USD 750 million economic impact underscore the event’s role in driving investment, creating jobs, and fueling sustainable growth. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our tireless teams, our partners including Tech Destination Pakistan, SIFC, and STZA for their extended support, and our friends in the media whose dedication in covering the festival has helped share Pakistan’s story with the world.”
More than 3,500 global and regional brands, including Google Chromebook, Samsung, Resecurity, Huawei eKit, and Corning, participated alongside Pakistani technology firms and startups, reinforcing ITCN Asia’s position as the country’s premier technology marketplace. The exhibition showcased solutions across key sectors such as cloud, cybersecurity, AI, fintech, enterprise solutions, health tech, edtech, and e-commerce, highlighting the depth and diversity of Pakistan’s evolving digital economy.
ITCN Asia 2026 served as a strategic convergence platform for investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovators, positioning Pakistan as a competitive destination for technology investment, outsourcing, and innovation-driven partnerships. The exhibition facilitated high-value networking through conferences, workshops, and structured B2B engagements, enabling meaningful dialogue around innovation, scalability, cybersecurity, and digital resilience.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
