Mohammad J Sear

Vice Chairperson, Pakistan Digital Authority | Global Futurist & 4x Author | Re-imagining AI-Native Nations | Ex-EY Partner

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About

We are at an inflection point where incremental public sector reform is no longer sufficient. The future belongs to AI-Native Nations. My work is dedicated to the intersection where technology, governance, and humanity converge by reimagining how governments operate, how economies scale, and how societies thrive in the digital era. The Mandate: Building the Digital Nation Currently, as Vice Chairperson and Member of the Pakistan Digital Authority, I am translating global frameworks into sovereign reality. We are actively designing the nation's cognitive whole-of-nation operating system. By championing human-centered design, we are re-architecting the ecosystem to be proactive, agile, and fundamentally digital-first. The Intellectual Property: Codifying the Future Theory without frameworks cannot scale. I have codified my experience, thinking and methodologies into four books designed to guide leaders through this transition: 1) Becoming Digital Nations 2) AI Native Government 3) Digital Society 4) Digital Economy The Foundation: From Legacy to Future-State My perspective is forged from over 30+ years of global experience. My foundational years were spent at the heart of the UK Government, serving during the premierships of Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Tony Blair that provided me with a deep understanding of legacy statecraft. I subsequently transitioned to the private sector, culminating in an 10+ years tenure as a Partner at EY. Armed with leadership training from Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, along with my MBA, I have spent the last two decades advising governments across the UK, Middle East, and Asia on complex digital transformations. The Purpose True digital transformation is ultimately about the human experience. As the co-founder of purpose-driven digital startups, I remain deeply committed to leveraging technology to solve fundamentally human challenges, particularly youth emotional wellbeing. Technology is the enabler, but humanity is the point.

Experience

  • Vice Chairperson, Pakistan Digital Authority & Director General of Digital Government, Pakistan at Pakistan Digital Authority
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

    As the Vice Chairperson of the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) and Director General, Digital Government, Pakistan, I lead the strategic execution of Pakistan’s national digital transformation agenda. In this dual capacity, I bridge the gap between regulatory sovereignty and operational excellence. My mandate is twofold: 1. National Strategy & Regulatory Stewardship As Vice Chair of the Authority, I steer the National Digital Masterplan, establishing the policy frameworks, data standards, and digital rights that serve as the bedrock of a trusted digital economy. 2. Government Transformation (The Whole-of-Government Stack) As the leader for Digital Government, Pakistan, I oversee the design and deployment of Pakistan's government digital infrastructure. We are moving beyond simple digitization to build a paperless, cashless, and presence-less government that is invisible, proactive, and citizen-centric. The Mission Pakistan is not merely digitizing; we are redefining our national operating model. My focus extends beyond government to unlocking the digital economy, fostering a world-class start-up ecosystem, and establishing Pakistan as a key node in the global digital value chain. Connect I welcome strategic dialogue with G2G counterparts, global technology leaders, and institutional investors who share our vision of a borderless, innovation-driven Pakistan.

  • EY (11 yrs 2 mos)
    • Partner, Digital Gov. & Public Sector Advisory Services, MENA
      Jul 2016 - Sep 2025 · 9 yrs 3 mos

      With access to 40% of the worlds customers, EY AIM provides borderless Advisory services supported by 7000+ Advisory Professionals, 280 Partners from Member Firms located in over 50 Countries. EY AIM provides our clients with Advisory services specifically tailored to deliver value in these markets.

    • Partner, MENA Startup Leader
      Mar 2021 - Jun 2025 · 4 yrs 4 mos

    • Partner, MENA Consulting Advisory Diversity & Inclusion Champion
      Jul 2019 - Jan 2025 · 5 yrs 7 mos

  • Co-Founder & Advisor at Mueen
    Jun 2024 - May 2025 · 1 yr

  • Global CEO & Co-Founder at Simpli Human
    Jul 2023 - May 2025 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Simpli Human is a purpose driven emotional wellbeing digital start-up. Our purpose is "Nourishing the Emotional Wellbeing of Youth". We are a "By Youth for Youth grounded in Science" organization.

  • Global Chief Disruption Officer at Thinking Differently
    Jan 2024 - Apr 2025 · 1 yr 4 mos

    I like to think of myself as Chief Disruption Officer as I love to disrupt the conventional thinking and push the boundaries and get everyone to think differently. So in a fun way decided to add this role to my LinkedIn profile in order to be the first to project such a title (hopefully) despite it not being related to an actual role or company :-)