Pakistan’s Leading IT Association P@SHA and Pathfinder CITADEL Sign MoU at ITCN Asia Karachi to Empower National Innovation through Davos Startup Challenge 2026

[Karachi — September 24, 2025]

Pathfinder CITADEL, the flagship nation-building initiative of the Pathfinder Group, and Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s premier IT industry body, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at ITCN Asia Karachi. The collaboration aims to accelerate Pakistani innovation and entrepreneurship on the global stage through the Pathfinder CITADEL Davos Startup Challenge 2026.

The MoU was formally signed by:

– Mr Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman, P@SHA  

– AVM Asad Ikram (R), President, CITADEL, Pathfinder School of Excellence

The ceremony was attended by prominent leaders from both organizations:

P@SHA Leadership:

– Mr Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman

– Mr Raheel Iqbal, Vice Chairman

– Mr Muhammad Haris Naseer, Treasurer

– Mr Usman Akbar, Dr Sonia Saleem, and Nadia Iqbal (CEC Members)

Pathfinder Group Leadership:

– Mr Ikram Sehgal, Chairman Pathfinder Group

– Mr Salman Ali, CEO, VRG / Pathfinder Group

– Mr Shakeel Ahmed, Director IT, Pathfinder Group

– Mr Imran Jattala, Vice President, CITADEL / Pathfinder SoE

– Dr Sumayya Amra, Consultant, CITADEL / Pathfinder SoE

About the Pathfinder CITADEL Davos Startup Challenge 2026:

The Davos Startup Challenge is a national competition identifying Pakistan’s most promising startups for a chance to pitch at the International Pakistan Breakfast during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos (January 19–23, 2026). The competition targets high-potential founders in AI, FinTech, Climate, Health, DeepTech, AgriTech, and other transformative sectors, running through three nationwide stages:

– National Call for Startups: September 19 – October 1, 2025

– Shortlisted Startups Pitching: October 11, 2025

– Final Pitching Round: October 25, 2025

Winners will benefit from global visibility, investor access, international media coverage, and tailored acceleration and mentorship via CITADEL, translating talent and ideas into international ventures and jobs.