The Biz Update One of Pakistan's Most Reliable Business News Website
Related Articles
KARACHI, June 10, 2026: Ignite, operating under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT), has partnered with Mobilink Bank and CyberVision International to establish and operate the National Incubation Center (NIC) Sialkot.
The initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan’s startup ecosystem and create new opportunities for technology-driven entrepreneurs in Sialkot, one of the country’s leading industrial and export hubs.
Officials from the Ministry of IT, Ignite, and Mobilink Bank attended the signing ceremony held in Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the project supports Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Pakistan vision. She added that the government remains committed to promoting innovation and digital entrepreneurship by providing young innovators with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
Known globally for its sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products, and musical instruments industries, Sialkot has also emerged as a growing center for e-commerce and digital exports. Therefore, NIC Sialkot will build on this momentum by supporting up to 25 startups each year.
The center will provide mentorship, business development support, investor connections, market access opportunities, and networking platforms. Moreover, it will help entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses.
Ignite CEO Muhammad Bilal Abbasi described NIC Sialkot as another major milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. He said the center will promote technology adoption, improve industrial productivity, and enhance export competitiveness.
Meanwhile, applications for the first incubation cohort have officially opened. The program aims to empower local entrepreneurs and help them build globally competitive companies.
Mobilink Bank President and CEO Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said sustainable economic growth requires opportunities beyond major cities. He emphasized that innovation must remain accessible, inclusive, and aligned with local business needs. Through NIC Sialkot, entrepreneurs will gain access to mentorship, digital tools, financial solutions, and market opportunities.
Although the center welcomes startups from all sectors, it will particularly focus on industries linked to Sialkot’s economic strengths. These include sports technology, healthcare and surgical technology, manufacturing innovation, e-commerce, export-enabling solutions, and emerging digital industries.
In addition, NIC Sialkot will encourage innovation in high-growth fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, smart supply chains, health technology, and digital commerce.
The National Incubation Center network remains Pakistan’s flagship technology incubation initiative. Funded by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and Ignite National Technology Fund, it operates regional centers across the country in collaboration with industry leaders, academic institutions, and global accelerators.
