252 Million Walas
A key initiative is the National Idea Bank, a repository of more than 8,200 innovative ideas spanning a wide range of industries. It was formed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of IT and Telecom, Ignite Pakistan, the Pakistan Software Export Board, and more than 150 universities from across the country. Competitions have been held with funding awards for the best ideas, including 63 winners at the national level.
One of the top winners involves KM. Entitled: Uncovering Interdisciplinary Knowledge, this startup aims to “leverage AI to streamline literature review processes and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.” By providing researchers with access to a vast pool of structured scientific knowledge, the platform hopes to accelerate the development of innova- tive solutions. If successful, its intuitive interface and visualizations will help researchers discover insights more efficiently, shorten R&D cycles, and promote knowledge exchange across various fields and disciplines.
You can check out all of these ideas at nibpk.org. If you see any that you like, it’s easy for you to reach out to the inventors and start a conversation.
Stitching It All Together
Such an ecosystem isn’t possible without a robust, secure infrastructure. Digital Pakistan is a government-led initiative for improving digital infrastructure, facilitating internet access, and promoting e-governance. The government is also promoting expansion of digital payment systems by streamlining ecommerce policies and improving payment gateways. Systems such as Easypaisa and JazzCash are making it easier than ever for freelancers and small businesses to operate and, of course, to get paid. Underneath it all is an aggressive rollout of 5G and fiber-optic networks to enable high-tech business growth, especially via remote work.
Having seen its neighbor Bharat’s tremendous success in IT, the Pakistani government has set equally ambitious targets for IT export growth, backed by tax exemptions and other incentives. The goal is to make Pakistan a hub for outsourcing software and IT services.
Here Come the Walas
All of these reforms and improvements are unleashing a wave of walas and walis, many of whom are in their early teens. Here are a few real examples from Sindh, one of Pakistan’s six regions, along with some of their ages: Abrar Cyberwala (14), Arsalan Freelancingwala (16), Usman Upworkwala (19), Mustafa Editingwala (19), and Abdulkarim Ideawala. Karachi-based “digital creators” include 17-year-old Salahuddin Youtubwala, Ahmed LinkdInwala, and podcaster Imran Leadershipwala.
Many have inspiring mission statements such as “Remove poverty from Pakistan,” “Promote the talent of my country through promoting sports,” “Peace for all,” and “I want myself and everybody on this planet to be successful in this world and hereafter.”
Equally impressive is the growing number of walis, along with their taglines, such as Rahat Counsellingwali (Passionate advocate for women’s empowerment), Amna Himmatwali (Empowering Pakistan’s youth), Kessar Educationwali (Impacting education via AI & human networking), and Neelofar Pirzada Herbswali (Nutrition & herbal medicine advocate). The list goes on.
KM’ers, Take Note
At last check, dozens of “knowledgewalas” populate the Pak digital landscape, along with a few “knowledgewalis.” Most of them identify as “digital creators.” That covers the content management part of KM. Is there a role for you as a “metaknowledgewala/wali” to help pull this massive ecosystem more closely together? Or perhaps to start one in your own region or country?
There are 195 countries in the world. How many more entrepreneurial innovation hotspots are out there, waiting to be tapped and awakened? In our high-tech, virtual world, all of the steps Pakistan has taken can be replicated virtually anywhere, regardless of your country’s size, GDP, or location. Imagine the possibilities ...