The Ignite – National Technology Fund has appointed Muhammad Bilal Abbasi as its new Chief Executive Officer for a three‑year term, ending a prolonged period during which the position had remained vacant since January 17, 2024.
The CEO post had been unfilled for over two years. Following the vacancy, General Manager Corporate Affairs Adeel Ejaz Sheikh was assigned additional responsibilities as Acting CEO. The position was later overseen by Rafique Ahmed Buriro, who served in a dual role as Ignite CEO and Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. After multiple advertisements and a formal evaluation process, the Ignite Board shortlisted candidates, and following a re‑advertising round, Bilal Abbasi was selected.
| Appointment Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position | Chief Executive Officer |
| Appointee | Muhammad Bilal Abbasi |
| Term | Three years |
| Previous CEO Tenure Ended | January 17, 2024 |
| Previous Leadership | Adeel Ejaz Sheikh (Acting), Rafique Ahmed Buriro (dual role) |
Decades of Experience in Digital Transformation
Bilal Abbasi brings more than two decades of experience in information technology, digital transformation, e‑governance, and public‑sector innovation. Since April 2022, he has been serving as General Manager at Ignite, where he led initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s startup ecosystem.
During his tenure as GM, he oversaw National Incubation Centres across the country and played a key role in designing programs related to:
- Gaming and animation
- Virtual production
- Aerospace technology incubation
- Pakistan’s first startup portal
- The country’s startup acceleration program
Government IT Leadership
Before joining Ignite, Bilal Abbasi served as Director General of IT at the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication from 2019 to 2022. In that role, he contributed to several flagship digital initiatives, including:
- The Digital Pakistan Policy
- International payment gateway efforts
- Cloud computing policy
- The Personal Data Protection Bill 2020
He was also involved in policy formulation related to artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and e‑commerce, while managing a portfolio of government IT and telecom projects worth billions of rupees.
His career also includes senior positions at the National Information Technology Board (NITB) , where he led the development and implementation of the federal government’s e‑Office platform and other digital governance projects. Earlier, he worked with the Electronic Government Directorate, Vensys Telecom, and Digitania Pakistan, gaining experience in enterprise resource planning systems, network infrastructure, digital services, and project management.
Strategic Importance
Bilal Abbasi’s appointment comes at a time when Ignite is expanding its role in supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology‑driven economic growth in Pakistan. The organisation is the key government vehicle for nurturing startups, fostering digital skills, and catalysing technology investment nationwide.
About Ignite – National Technology Fund
Ignite is a flagship program of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Government of Pakistan. It is mandated to fund and promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development across the country through its National Incubation Centres, startup acceleration programs, and strategic technology initiatives.
