Pakistan and Russia Strengthen Tech Ties Through Joint Webinar, Target Business Partnerships

Pakistan and Russia held a joint technology webinar in Islamabad on November 5, aiming to turn government-level trust into business contracts between tech companies from both countries.

The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) organised the event with the University of World Civilizations Moscow (UWCM). It was the third event in the Pakistan-Russia Webinar Series. The event took place at the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives in Islamabad, with Russian speakers joining online from Moscow.

Six Areas of Focus

The webinar centred on six areas where the two countries’ tech industries can work together:

• AI and cloud computing
• Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection
• Digital governance and digital public infrastructure
• IT and IT-enabled services trade, investment, and business-to-business cooperation
• Digital skills and workforce exchange
• Quantum computing

What the Planning Minister Said

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal was the chief guest. He said technology has become a key driver of Pakistan’s economic growth and offers a chance to deepen ties with Russia.

He said E-Pakistan is one of five pillars under URAAN Pakistan, the country’s national economic plan. The goal under this plan is to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035.

Iqbal pointed to Pakistan’s IT talent, saying the country produces more than 75,000 IT graduates every year. He said Pakistan aims to train one million AI professionals by 2030 and has set up seven new AI centers to support research and industry links.

He also mentioned NADRA’s digital identity system and Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment system, which processed 646 million transactions in a single quarter.

Iqbal said Russia’s scientific and engineering strength could combine well with Pakistan’s skilled workforce and IT delivery experience. He called on tech companies from both countries to pursue real partnerships, joint projects, and market access deals. He said the initiative’s success would be measured through actual trade, investment, and jobs.

Export Numbers Behind the Push

Pakistan’s IT and telecom exports hit a record $4.6 billion in FY2025-26, up around 20% from the year before. The sector is now looking for new markets and higher-value work, which is part of why this webinar was held.

Who Else Spoke

Bella Cherkesova, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, gave the keynote speech from the Russian side, covering policy, investment, and new technologies.

Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s envoy to Russia, said Pakistan-Russia relations have entered a more developed phase. He said his mission in Moscow will work with PSEB to help Pakistani companies enter the Russian market.

PSEB CEO Faisal Jeddy laid out a process for turning contacts into contracts: define the opportunity, match the right companies, agree on a pilot project, and assign a named contact person on each side. He said, “Partnerships rarely fail for lack of intent; they fail for lack of follow-up.” He said PSEB would stay involved with companies until talks turn into contracts.

Industry Discussions

In a session led by Dr. Roxolana Zigon of UWCM, RUSSOFT President Valentin Makarov and P@SHA Chairman Dr. Shoab Ahmed Khan talked about linking the two software industries through structured partnerships. Dr. Irina Serenko spoke about the digital economy as an area for cooperation.

In another session, led by Shahbaz Hameed of PSEB, speakers included Ahrar Naqvi (CEO, Ebryx), Yegor Rykov (Regional CEO, Positive Technologies), Abdul Haseeb (Group CEO & MD, TMC), and Dr. Alexey Akimov (Director, Russian Quantum Center). They discussed joint work in cybersecurity, enterprise software, FinTech, AI, cloud computing, and delivery across Pakistan, Russia, and other markets.

Closing Remarks

Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication, closed the event. He said the webinar produced a shortlist of real opportunities in cybersecurity, enterprise software, AI, and cloud computing, with companies on both sides ready to act on them.

He said the Ministry’s next job is to clear obstacles, from market information to regulatory help, so pilot projects can start soon. He said PSEB and its partners would review progress regularly, adding that momentum is hard to get back once lost.