An important international webinar will be held
on November 5, 2026, to give a new dimension to bilateral cooperation between
Pakistan and Russia in the fields of economy, trade and technology. Senior
government representatives from both countries, prominent figures from the
information technology industry, heads of software companies and technology
experts are expected to participate. The webinar will be the third event in a
series focused on cooperation between Pakistan and Russia. Titled “Russia–Pakistan:
Cooperation in Information Technology and Collaboration across Industrial
Sectors,” the program will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. Moscow
time, corresponding to 1:00 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. Pakistan time.
The event is being organized jointly by Moscow’s
Vladimir Zhirinovsky University of World Civilizations and the Pakistan
Software Export Board (PSEB), based in Islamabad. According to the organizers,
its primary objectives are to establish direct links between leading technology
companies in Pakistan and Russia, identify potential joint ventures, facilitate
access to each other’s markets and lay the foundations for long-term
partnerships in emerging technology sectors. Particular importance is being
attached to structured cooperation among government institutions, private
companies, industry associations and research organisations.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information
Technology and Telecommunication, Fatima Khawaja, is scheduled to address the
opening session. Her remarks will focus on technology cooperation between
Pakistan and Russia as a new direction for bilateral economic relations. Russia’s
Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, Bella
Cherkesova, will also address the opening session. Her remarks will highlight
opportunities for digital partnerships, investment, emerging technologies and
mutual cooperation between the two countries.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz
Tirmizi, will also speak at the event. His address will focus on strengthening
Pakistan-Russia economic relations through technology and digital trade. Pakistan
Software Export Board Chief Executive Officer Faisal Jaddi will highlight
Pakistan’s capabilities in information technology and new opportunities for
commercial cooperation with Russian companies. The program will also feature
detailed discussions on bringing the software industries of both countries
closer together, developing technology partnerships and exploring access to new
markets.
Valentin Makarov, head of RUSSOFT, the
representative organisation of Russia’s software industry, will discuss
business cooperation and potential joint ventures between Russian and Pakistani
IT companies. Meanwhile, Asif Peer, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan’s
leading IT company Systems Limited, will present opportunities in digital
transformation, joint technology solutions and cooperation in international
markets. Maxim Tyatushev, Chief Executive Officer of Russian technology company
SberTech, will discuss the importance of research, academic and strategic
cooperation in emerging technology fields. Participants will also consider ways
to establish lasting links between businesses and research organizations in
both countries and launch joint technology projects in the future. Artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing and digital infrastructure
protection will receive particular attention during the webinar.
Ahrar Naqvi, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistani
company Ebryx, will discuss opportunities in cybersecurity, cloud technology,
software development and the creation of joint digital products. Igor Ryukov,
Regional Director of Russia’s prominent cybersecurity company Positive
Technologies, will outline opportunities for cooperation in digital
infrastructure protection, cyber threat detection and security technologies for
critical institutions. Saleem Ghauri, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan’s
international software company Netsol Technologies, will discuss financial
technology, enterprise software, leasing platforms and potential joint digital
financial services.
Meanwhile, Andrey Varatsky, Chief Executive
Officer of Russian company eXpress, will highlight opportunities for joint
ventures and practical cooperation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing
and enterprise technology. The webinar’s agenda places particular emphasis on
promoting cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in artificial intelligence,
cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital governance, IT trade, investment,
digital skills development and advanced fields such as quantum computing. Participants
will also discuss opportunities for cooperation in data analytics, industrial
automation, digital platforms, the digital delivery of public services, software
outsourcing and the training of technology professionals.
Another important feature of the webinar will be
an assessment of opportunities to expand Pakistan-Russia technology cooperation
beyond the domestic markets of the two countries and into third-country
markets. To achieve this, participants will explore joint software development,
the creation of digital products, system integration and the international
provision of information technology services. Proposed areas of cooperation
include business-to-business networking, joint pilot projects, the exchange of
technical expertise and opportunities for mutual investment. According to the
webinar documents, several major Russian technology companies are also included
on the list of organizations invited to participate. These include Positive
Technologies, Yandex Cloud, Astra Group, 1C Company and VK Tech.
Their potential participation could open up
further opportunities for future partnerships in software, cloud
infrastructure, cybersecurity and enterprise digital systems. Pakistan and
Russia are seeking to expand their economic cooperation beyond traditional
sectors by establishing information technology as a new and important area of
partnership. The proposed cooperation is intended to go beyond discussions and
establish a structured framework for lasting business links, joint research,
practical projects and commercial partnerships between companies in both
countries.
The program could provide Pakistani IT companies
with opportunities to establish new business connections in the Russian
technology market, while enabling Russian organizations to benefit from the
capabilities of Pakistan’s software industry. It will also give experts from
both countries an opportunity to explore joint research and the development of
advanced technological solutions in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and
digital transformation.
The international webinar scheduled for November
5 could further highlight the growing importance of advanced technology and
digital trade in economic relations between Pakistan and Russia. The program is
expected to strengthen links between the public and private sectors and
potentially open new avenues for joint technology projects, investment and
international trade cooperation. However, turning these opportunities into
practical outcomes will depend on the progress made by the relevant
institutions and companies following the webinar.