Peshawar – 27 April 2018: The 2018 Digital Youth Summit (DYS), being held in collaboration with Jazz, World Bank and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB), brings together the next generation of digital innovators in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The summit aims to attract three key audiences; Tech industry leaders from Pakistan and abroad; the nascent startup community; young people looking to network, learn and be inspired. The summit will draw participants from the private sector, investors, government, civil society, youth groups and academia.

Every year DYS with local and international digital entrepreneurs, technologists, companies and investors aims to share knowledge and experience, while training and investing in the thousands of youth attendees. This year’s DYS features a refreshed lineup of speakers including Jamal Khan (CEO Arpatech), Muneeb Maayr (CEO Bykea), Rabeel Warraich (CEO Sarmayacar), Asra Nadeem (Program Manager at Draper University), and Aurelie Salvaire (Founder Shiftbalance).

As before, there are several panel discussions planned at the event, along with workshops for practical tips and training in areas like Android development, blockchain, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has embarked on a digital journey and is making every possible effort to capitalize on the opportunities presented through the digital economy. We are investing in digital skills and the required infrastructure to pave way for a Digital KP. The Government has adopted a strategy that focuses on policy reforms and proposes a clear road map in the form of initiatives to support this strategy,” said Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Managing Director of the KP IT Board.

“The market for digital entrepreneurship, a multi-billion-dollar industry, growing at a rapid rate and is thirsty for young talent,” said Melinda Good, World Bank Country Manager for Pakistan at the opening of DYS 2018. “With creativity and passion, you can be at the forefront of social and economic change. I hope you will be in the driver’s seat of this exciting future.”

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Naseer, Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Officer – Jazz, said, “As the leading digital company, Jazz is willing to play an integral role in shaping Pakistan’s digital future. Our support of KPITB’s aim to promote digital entrepreneurship in the region is not new, as last year we signed an MOU with them to support the execution of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s digital initiatives. Under this partnership, Jazz will not only support the Digital Youth Summit, but also proliferate the benefits of connectivity and digital enablement by empowering youth through technology, digital skills & literacy.”

The three initiatives under the partnership between KPITB and Jazz will see the Telco showcase its ‘Make Your Mark’ program i.e. Jazz Smart School, unveil its digital policy agenda and organize a civic digithon at DYS 2018.

Under KP’s Youth Employment Program, Jazz will build basic knowledge and understanding of the mobile internet by partnering with the digital skills training toolkit in KP. The aim is to proliferate the benefits of connectivity and digital enablement to 40,000 youth in two years.

While, under KPITB’s Durshal program, Jazz will be able to partner with a network of innovation labs and build synergies with its already established NIC. This will assist technology-oriented entrepreneurs in the start-up and early developmental stage of their businesses. Jazz will also support the program by providing mentoring to the startups housed at the Durshal labs.