Paklaunch UNConference 26 has officially concluded in Islamabad. The highly anticipated two-day event took place at the Mövenpick Centaurus Mall from April 29 to April 30, 2026. Furthermore, this exclusive gathering brought together up to 120 selected founders, global investors, and industry leaders. The primary goal was to foster high-value partnerships and expand direct investment access. Ultimately, the event aimed to build the connections necessary to drive Pakistan’s next generation of success stories.

UNConference 26: A Unique Approach to Collaboration

Unlike traditional corporate events, UNConference 26 utilized an open-space format. Consequently, there were no predetermined speakers or panels. Instead, every attendee acted as both a participant and a potential session leader. Participants co-created the agenda directly on the day of the event.

“aik” digital, Pakistan’s first Islamic digital banking platform by BankIslami, powered the conference. Additionally, strategic partners included Fasset, JazzWorld, and HAAF Group. Attendance remained strictly by registration and invitation only. Throughout the gathering, industry leaders engaged in deep discussions regarding venture capital, fintech, AI policy, and cross-border growth.

AI & Freelance Economy

The event highlighted the massive potential of Pakistan’s youth. Currently, the national average age sits at just 23 years old. According to Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), the country must channelize this ample human resource. He suggested using artificial intelligence to solve socio-economic problems in agriculture, medicine, and education. Subsequently, Pakistan can export these frameworks to the world.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s freelance sector is booming. The sector posted a 50.9% growth rate, with revenues reaching 856 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Today, the country hosts 2.37 million freelancers, making it the fourth-largest freelancer market globally. Ali Dar, Advisor on AI Punjab, noted that many young freelancers currently perform $500-a-month jobs. However, upgrading their skill sets with emerging technologies like AI and Blockchain could multiply these earnings 20-fold. Therefore, this shift would create a tremendous economic and social impact.

Celebrating Six Years of Paklaunch

The opening day of UNConference 26 held special significance. April 29 marked the sixth anniversary of Paklaunch. Exactly six years ago, in 2020, the organization began as a single WhatsApp group formed by seven friends. Today, Paklaunch operates as a leading community that seamlessly links startup founders with mentors. It also connects investors with lucrative opportunities. This latest event successfully advanced their ongoing mission to enable meaningful connections across Pakistan’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem.