Pakistan is intensifying efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its startup ecosystem as National Incubation Center Karachi graduated 28 startups from its 13th cohort, reflecting a broader push by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to position emerging technologies at the centre of entrepreneurial growth. The development comes as policymakers increasingly encourage founders to embed artificial intelligence into their business models to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in global markets.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Federal Secretary for Information Technology and Telecommunication Zarrar Hasham Khan said artificial intelligence has become critical for startups aiming to scale and remain competitive. He noted that integrating artificial intelligence into business operations can significantly improve performance while opening doors to international markets and broader innovation opportunities. The remarks underline the government’s growing focus on ensuring that Pakistan’s startup ecosystem remains aligned with global technology shifts.
National Incubation Center Karachi, an initiative backed by Ignite under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, has emerged as one of the country’s major incubation platforms. Since its establishment, the centre has incubated more than 440 startups, generated over one million jobs, produced more than Rs12 billion in revenues, and facilitated over Rs13 billion in investments. The centre provides startups with structured incubation support, mentorship, legal and financial advisory services, investor access, and advanced labs in sectors such as financial technology, industrial automation, and media technology.
Officials from Ignite and National Incubation Center Karachi said the graduation of Cohort 13 reflects the steady expansion of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and the growing role of structured incubation in helping founders build scalable and market-ready ventures. The emphasis on artificial intelligence adoption adds a policy-driven layer to this growth, indicating that future incubation strategies may increasingly focus on advanced technologies as part of Pakistan’s broader digital economy agenda.
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