On Tuesday, 6^th May 2025, Mr. Badar Khushnood, Co-founder of Fishry.com, and Dr. Syed Sohail Hussain Naqvi, CEO Knowledge Stream addressed during a panel discussion on the topic “Business Startups and Role of Innovations / Technology in the Knowledge Economy”, to the participants of the 37^th SMC.

During the session, Dr. Syed Sohail Hussain Naqvi focused his discussion on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies on governance, education, and public administration. He explained that the rise of Al platforms like ChatGPT is not just altering traditional work paradigms but also redefining how decisions are made, knowledge is shared, and services are delivered. Dr. Naqvi illustrated how Al can support civil servants in solving complex problems by enhancing productivity, providing predictive insights, and automating routine processes. He emphasised that while technology offers powerful tools, the real challenge lies in how effectively institutions adapt to use them.

Dr. Naqvi further outlined the broader contours of a successful knowledge economy, where innovation is driven by human capital and intellectual infrastructure rather than material resources. He called for a systemic shift in how education, public policy, and institutional capacity are structured, advocating for integration of digital literacy and Al awareness into civil service training. Dr. Naqvi also underscored the need for strategic public-private partnerships to foster a culture of experimentation and continuous learning. He concluded by urging civil servants to lead by example in embracing technological change and shaping a governance model that is data-informed, transparent, and citizen-centric.

Mr. Badar Khushnood provided an in-depth overview of Pakistan’s rapidly maturing startup ecosystem, emphasising its unique positioning as the fourth-largest freelancing economy in the world. He shared how a combination of demographic advantages, including over 140 million 3G/4G subscribers, nearly 50% English-speaking individuals, and 700,000 annual graduates, creates fertile ground for digital entrepreneurship. Mr. Khushnood detailed Pakistan’s growing appeal as a tech destination, supported by the registration of over 15,000 IT and IT-enabled services, (ITeS) companies and a vibrant freelance community generating significant export revenue. He attributed much of this momentum to global demand for remote services and Pakistan’s comparative cost advantage in tech labour.

In his remarks, Mr. Khushnood stressed the importance of long-term, globally competitive policies to sustain this growth trajectory. He advocated for reforms aimed at incentivising exports, improving the ease of doing business, and enhancing digital infrastructure. He also highlighted the necessity of embedding soft skills, STEM education, and digital competencies across all levels of the education system to ensure a pipeline of innovation-ready talent. Drawing from global case studies, he encouraged civil servants to adopt forward-thinking governance models and play a facilitative role in enabling startups to scale and thrive in the knowledge economy. According to him, Pakistan’s economic future lies in leveraging its youth and connectivity to unlock high-value innovation and digital trade.

The panel discussion concluded with Q&A session, where participants engaged the speakers on issues ranging from policy gaps to the future of civil service in a digital-first economy. The session offered valuable insights into the intersection of innovation, governance, and economic competitiveness, reinforcing the need for civil service readiness to support Pakistan’s transition toward a knowledge-based future.