PROMOTING ENTERPRENEURIAL GROWTH AND STARTUP ECOSYSTEM WITHIN PAKISTAN’S DEFENCE SECTOR: PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This paper examines the role of enterpreneurship in driving Pakistan’s economic growth, with a particular focus on the defence sector. It hypothesises that Pakistan’s defence industry, traditionally being dominated by State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), requires increased enterpreneurial activity to achieve self-sufficiency, technological progress, and economic growth. This research seeks to answer key questions regarding the challenges hindering enterpreneurial growth in the defence sector, gains from private sector participation, and strategies for effectively promoting enterpreneurship within the industry. The study utilises Schumpeter’s theory of innovation and enterpreneurship, and employs qualitative methodology, incoporating content analysis, different case studies, and semi-structures interviews. Findings indicate that policy reforms, financial support, and private-sector engagement are essential for fostering enterpreneurship in Pakistan’s defence sector.