Sialkot emerges as major e-commerce hub

Sialkot has emerged as a major hub in Pakistan’s e-commerce and digital trade sector, with a significant share of the country’s online trade activity reportedly linked to the city, largely driven by wholesale businesses.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government aims to become a key buyer of locally developed tech products and also wants large industries to support domestic tech startups and SMEs.

She noted that a large portion of Pakistan’s trade activity on Alibaba originates from Sialkot, mainly due to its strong wholesale export base.

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication’s Ignite program has signed an agreement with a Mobilink Bank-led consortium, including CyberVision International, to establish and operate the National Incubation Centre (NIC) in Sialkot. The initiative is designed to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the minister said the project aligns with the government’s vision of a “Digital Pakistan,” aimed at promoting tech-based entrepreneurship and supporting young innovators with resources and opportunities.

The event was held at the IT ministry and attended by senior officials along with representatives from Ignite and Mobilink Bank.

Ignite CEO Muhammad Bilal Abbasi said the NIC Sialkot will play a key role in expanding Pakistan’s startup ecosystem by helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into scalable businesses while boosting productivity and exports.

Mobilink Bank CEO Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary emphasized that economic growth should be inclusive and spread across smaller cities as well, not just major urban centers. He said the centre will provide mentorship, digital tools, financial services, and market access to help startups grow.

The NIC Sialkot will focus on startups across various sectors, especially those aligned with the city’s industrial strengths, including sports goods technology, healthcare and surgical innovation, manufacturing, e-commerce, export solutions, and other emerging digital industries.