RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pakistani Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to boost bilateral cybersecurity cooperation.
The MoU, signed by NCA Governor Eng. Majed Al-Mazyed and Pakistan’s Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja in Riyadh on the sidelines of LEAP 2026, the fifth edition of the world’s largest technology event, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
المملكة وباكستان تعززان التعاون في مجال الأمن السيبراني.
🔗https://t.co/djj1tQlZyZ pic.twitter.com/eOtCV1CJ6x
— الهيئة الوطنية للأمن السيبراني (@NCA_KSA) September 1, 2026
The MoU aims to protect cyberspace and the vital interests of both nations by facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices to address emerging cyber threats.
The agreement is part of the NCA’s broader strategic efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity by expanding international partnerships and enhancing cooperation with counterparts around the world.
Cooperation in digital innovation
Earlier, Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its partnership with Saudi Arabia in digital innovation and emerging technologies.
Addressing the LEAP 2026 conference in Riyadh, titled “How We Built a Digital Nation,” she highlighted the country’s efforts to institutionalise its digital transformation through legislation.
#LEAP2026 میں سعودی وزیرِ مواصلات و آئی ٹی @aalswaha سے ملاقات اور باہمی تعاون کے نئے مواقع اور شعبوں پر گفتگو۔
HUMAIN کے @TareqAmin_ CEO سےبھی اہم ملاقات۔ AI، کلاؤڈ و کمپیوٹ، ڈیٹا سینٹرز، اسکلز اور سرمایہ کاری میں پاک-سعودی شراکت داری کو عملی منصوبوں میں بدلنے پرگفتگو
🇵🇰 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/CviX7mhdCl
— Shaza Fatima Khawaja (@ShazaFK) September 1, 2026
She added that greater cooperation in digital innovation, capacity-building, and emerging technologies would create new opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity for both countries.
ALSO READ: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to Further Strengthen Cooperation in Digital Innovation
The minister underscored that Islamabad has anchored its digital transformation in legislation through the Digital Nation Pakistan Act.
World’s largest tech event opens in Saudi Arabia
LEAP 2026, the fifth edition of the world’s largest technology event, opened in Saudi Arabia on Monday with more than $15 billion in investments, technology and strategic partnerships announced across artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global hub for innovation and digital infrastructure.
The event is being held in Riyadh under the theme “Into New Worlds,” bringing together leading figures from the technology and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors, along with investors and innovators from across the globe, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The initiative further strengthened Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for digital infrastructure, advanced computing and technology investment in the emerging intelligent era.
The conference is organised by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf, a joint venture between SAFCSP, global events company Informa, and the Events Investment Fund.
LEAP 2026 will run until September 3 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, featuring more than 1,000 speakers, 1,900 investors, 1,800 global technology brands, and 600 startups across 16 stages and more than 20 tracks exploring the future of AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart cities, fintech, healthcare, space, gaming, and mobility.
