Diplomats and business leaders have lauded Pakistan’s growing role as a digital trade hub connecting South Asia, the Gulf, and Central Asia, emphasizing technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship as vital pillars of the country’s emerging economic diplomacy.
The views were shared at the 3rd Diplomatic Network Event, organized by the Smart Entrepreneur Society (SES) at the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), Karachi. The gathering brought together representatives from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa to discuss how digital transformation is reshaping trade, investment, and cooperation.
Engr. Mehtab Hussain Baloch, Founder and Chairman of SES, said that diplomacy in the modern world goes beyond political negotiation.
“Diplomacy today is about connecting entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and developing human capital,” he said. “Through SES, we aim to link the diplomatic community with Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem where dialogue turns into opportunity.”
A key highlight was a presentation by Asif Pervez, Founder and CEO of galaxefi Solutions, who outlined Pakistan’s leadership potential in digital trade corridors.
He shared that galaxefi, in partnership with the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), 1Link, Meezan Bank, Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is developing an AI-driven digital trade network to integrate logistics, payments, and compliance systems across the CAREC region. Pervez announced that galaxefi will present its model, “Digital Trade without Borders,” at the upcoming CAREC Business Forum 2025 in Bishkek.
Chief Guest Eng. Dr. Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari, Consul General of Oman and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Karachi, lauded Pakistan’s private sector for its innovation and growing regional role.
“Pakistan’s private sector has the creativity and dynamism to drive sustainable regional growth,” he said, noting that digital initiatives were building stronger bridges between nations and innovators.
Diplomats including Sanjeewa Pattiwala (Sri Lanka), Vahed Asghari (Iran), Mirza Ishtiaq Baig (Morocco), Fazal Karim Dadabhoy (Côte d’Ivoire), and Ibrahim Khalid Tawab (Ethiopia) underscored the role of technology-driven diplomacy in advancing cooperation among Global South nations. The event was also addressed by Hasan Raza Kasbati, CEO of Aleph Business Solutions and other businessmen.
The event also saw the soft launch of Smart Entrepreneur Magazine and Intellectual Property Alerts Magazine, aimed at promoting innovation and digital literacy.
