NIC Hyderabad, established under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication’s Ignite initiative, celebrated its third anniversary this week with the graduation of 32 startups from its fourth and fifth cohorts. The event brought together government representatives, academic leaders, industry stakeholders, and members of the business community to mark the growing role of incubation centers in shaping Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja served as chief guest at the ceremony, commending the innovation and determination demonstrated by young founders in Hyderabad. She noted that the city’s startup activity reflects the talent and resilience of Pakistan’s youth and emphasized that incubation centers across the country are equipped with modern facilities to empower entrepreneurs. With eight centers now operating nationwide, she highlighted their role in enabling the launch of multi-billion-rupee projects.
The federal minister underscored the government’s commitment to entrepreneurship, pointing to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s directives to expand fundraising opportunities and entrepreneurial training programs. She shared that more than 300,000 young people are being trained annually under various initiatives designed to prepare them for business ventures. She further emphasized that the Digital Pakistan Act would play a vital role in creating transparency and efficiency across economic sectors, with agriculture among those set to undergo digitization. Expanding Pakistan’s fiber optic network, she said, will ensure that digital inclusion reaches even more regions in the years ahead.
CEO Ignite Rafiq Ahmed Buriro addressed the gathering and praised NIC Hyderabad for proving that entrepreneurial ecosystems can thrive beyond Pakistan’s largest cities. He stated that the center’s success demonstrates that regional startups can compete at both national and international levels with the right support systems.
Vice President LMKT Asim Ishaq Khan echoed this sentiment, noting that startups emerging from Hyderabad are not only finding traction in Pakistan but also gaining recognition globally. Project Director NIC Hyderabad Syed Sana Shah provided an overview of the center’s impact since its inception. Over the past three years, NIC Hyderabad has incubated more than 150 startups, generating over Rs. 1 billion in revenue, attracting Rs. 470 million in investment, and creating more than 4,000 jobs. These achievements, he added, highlight the center’s role as a hub of innovation and economic growth in Sindh.
During the ceremony, the accomplishments of the 32 graduating startups were recognized, with certificates distributed among the founders. A cake-cutting ceremony was also held to mark the third anniversary milestone. Later, Shaza Fatima Khawaja visited the stalls set up by graduating startups, engaging directly with founders and learning about their products and services.
The event underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing Pakistan’s entrepreneurial capacity. With the combined efforts of Ignite, LMKT, PTCL, universities, and the government, NIC Hyderabad has created an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs to innovate, grow, and access markets beyond their immediate region.
By celebrating three years of progress and recognizing the latest cohort of graduates, NIC Hyderabad reaffirmed its role in equipping Pakistan’s youth with the tools, mentorship, and infrastructure needed to thrive in a technology-driven economy.
