Ignite, operating under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), has partnered with Mobilink Bank to establish and operate the National Incubation Center (NIC) Sialkot, expanding Pakistan’s network of technology incubation hubs and strengthening support for entrepreneurs in one of the country’s leading industrial cities.
The agreement was signed on June 9, 2026, between Ignite and a Mobilink Bank-led consortium that includes CyberVision International. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication offices in Islamabad and was attended by senior ministry officials as well as representatives from Ignite and Mobilink Bank.
The initiative aims to provide a dedicated platform for technology-driven startups and innovative ventures in Sialkot, a city renowned for its export-oriented industries, including sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products and musical instruments.
Speaking at the ceremony, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said:
“The establishment of NIC Sialkot reflects the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital National Pakistan vision. The government is fully commitment to nurturing innovation and digital entrepreneurship across Pakistan by equipping young entrepreneurs with the right resources and opportunities.”
Supporting Innovation Beyond Major Cities
The new incubation center is part of the government’s broader effort to expand innovation infrastructure beyond Pakistan’s major metropolitan areas and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship, technology adoption, employment generation and export growth.
According to Ignite, NIC Sialkot will support up to 25 startups annually through mentorship, business development services, investor linkages, market access opportunities and networking support.
Sialkot has increasingly emerged as a center for e-commerce and digital exports alongside its traditional manufacturing industries, making it a strategic location for a technology-focused incubation program.
CEO Ignite Muhammad Bilal Abbasi described the initiative as an important step in strengthening the country’s startup ecosystem.
“NIC Sialkot is another important milestone in Ignite’s mission to strengthen Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. The centre will help entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses while promoting technology adoption, industrial productivity and export competitiveness.”
Applications Open for First Cohort
Applications for Cohort 1 of the incubation program are now open. The center is designed to help local entrepreneurs build globally competitive companies and connect them with investors, mentors and industry networks.
While startups from all sectors are eligible to apply, NIC Sialkot will place particular emphasis on ventures aligned with the city’s industrial strengths. These include sports technologies, healthcare and surgical technologies, manufacturing innovation, e-commerce, export-enabling solutions and emerging digital industries.
The center will also encourage innovation in high-growth fields such as artificial intelligence, Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, smart supply chains, health technologies and digital commerce.
Mobilink Bank focuses on Inclusive Growth
Mobilink Bank President and CEO Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said the initiative is intended to broaden access to entrepreneurial opportunities and support business growth beyond Pakistan’s largest urban centers.
“Pakistan’s economic resilience demands broad-based participation — not growth concentrated in a few cities, but opportunity extended to small enterprises across the country. At Mobilink Bank, we believe innovation must be accessible, inclusive, and rooted in local business realities. Through NIC Sialkot, we are equipping entrepreneurs with mentorship, digital tools, financial solutions, and market access to scale with confidence.”
Nationwide Incubation Network
The National Incubation Center program is Pakistan’s flagship technology incubation and acceleration initiative, funded by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and Ignite National Technology Fund.
The NIC network currently operates seven regional centers across major cities in partnership with private-sector organizations, academic institutions and global accelerators, providing support to startups through incubation, acceleration and ecosystem development programs.