252 Million Walas
If you've been following this column, you’ve been kept up-to-date not only on many of the latest tech trends, but also on the broader geo-political and global socioeconomic developments forging a path to an exciting, and hopefully more prosperous, future. Most recently I covered the nearly 1.5 billion minds of Bharat (aka India).
One of Bharat’s neighbors, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, shares an ancient, war-torn history. Today, it has a young, highly educated, technically astute population with a heavy bend toward innovation and entrepreneurship. Say “assalaamualaykum” to the 252 million walas of Pakistan.
Wala (wali for the female gender) means “owner” or “helper.” It’ s similar to the English suffix “smith” used in traditional occupations such as silversmith, blacksmith, and locksmith. In fact, the term “wala” has strong cultural and religious roots in that it indicates a high level of trustworthiness, which is a laudable trait for an aspirant hoping to succeed in the global gig economy.
And speaking of going global, another 9 million Pakistanis are scattered throughout the world, with nearly 4 million in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region of the Middle East, 1.6 million in the U.K., and another million in the U.S. and Canada. This prosperous diaspora has become a key FDI (foreign direct investment) pipeline to the mother country, as remittances have reached around $30 billion annually.
Building an Ecosystem for Learning and Innovation
Economic growth has been fueled in part by a strategic focus on education, which was in serious need of reform. During the last 2 decades, Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC; hec.gov.pk/english/Pages/default.aspx) has been building a strong higher education system with an emphasis on research and partnerships with global universities, especially in STEM-related disciplines. It has opened up several centers focusing on AI/ML (machine learning), robotics, cybersecurity, and other areas critical to succeeding in a digital economy.
However, challenges persist, such as steady increases in the cost and time it takes to earn a degree. In response, a major groundswell is emerging to offer non-degree certificates based not only on knowledge of fundamentals, but, more importantly, on proven practical experience—actually coding and building applications useful in the real world. At a recent freelancing summit in the Punjab, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur awarded 1,200 such certificates.
Closely linked with Pakistan’s educational institutions are the many business incubator/accelerator networks popping up, spawning thousands of new small businesses. Rather than trying to create a few “unicorns” like Google or Microsoft, Pakistani leadership realized that the key to economic growth for an emerging economy is a vibrant small business sector. This resulted in the creation of numerous organizations supporting small business formation and growth. For example, ASPIRE Pakistan (aspirepk.org), founded by business leaders in the diaspora, is building a network of technology parks and promoting outreach to global markets. This rapidly expanding ecosystem includes Pak Angels, an early-stage startup investment platform; Founders’ Edge, an initiative to train and mentor university students, startup founders, and co-founders; and a National AI Think Tank, created to help individuals and institutions make the transition from the industrial age into the era of AI.