Pakistan Showcases Tech Sector at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh

Pakistan is showcasing its technology industry at LEAP 2026 in Saudi Arabia as the fifth edition of the major international technology gathering opened in Riyadh on Monday. Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja is attending the four-day event, where Pakistani companies are presenting digital products and services to international investors, technology firms and policymakers.

The event is being held at the Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham under the theme "Into New Worlds" and will continue until September 3. Organisers say more than 1,000 speakers, 600 startups, 1,800 global technology brands and about 1,900 investors are taking part, with overall attendance expected to exceed 200,000 during the four days.

Pakistan has established a dedicated pavilion at LEAP 2026, giving local technology and information technology companies a platform to demonstrate their products, services and digital capabilities. The participation is intended to connect Pakistani businesses with global investors and potential commercial partners gathered in Riyadh from different parts of the world.

Shaza Fatima visited stalls at the exhibition alongside Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha. Pakistani officials are also using the event to hold discussions on deeper technology cooperation with Saudi Arabia, particularly in areas including artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other emerging digital technologies.

The minister described Saudi Arabia as an important market for Pakistan's information technology industry and said efforts were under way to strengthen cooperation with major Saudi government and private-sector institutions. She also linked Pakistan's participation to broader government efforts to promote the country's IT sector and create more professional opportunities for Pakistani youth in Saudi Arabia and other international markets.

LEAP 2026 is focusing heavily on fast-growing technology fields including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, fintech, smart cities, education technology, gaming, space technology and digital infrastructure. Organisers expect companies and investors attending the event to announce investments, commercial agreements and new partnerships as discussions continue through September 3.

For Pakistan, the gathering provides an opportunity to present its technology sector directly to a large international audience while exploring investment and business links with Saudi Arabia and other participating countries. The next stage will depend on the discussions and potential agreements reached during the remaining days of LEAP, with Pakistani companies and officials seeking to turn their presence at the event into longer-term commercial and technology partnerships.