Key Takeaways
- Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar embarks on a two-day visit to Shanghai.
- Pakistan joins the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as a founding member.
- Key discussions include global AI governance and youth empowerment initiatives.
Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has departed for Shanghai, China, on a two-day visit aimed at advancing Pakistan’s role in international artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation. The visit comes as Pakistan joins the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as one of its founding members.
During his stay, Dar will participate in the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and sign an agreement with WAICO. He is also scheduled to attend a high-level meeting on Global AI Governance on July 17. The deputy prime minister’s itinerary includes bilateral meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other foreign counterparts.
The visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to fostering inclusive, equitable AI governance. In his discussions, Dar will present Pakistan’s perspective on strengthening international cooperation in AI, particularly focusing on the priorities and development needs of the Global South. He is expected to highlight the importance of bridging the global AI divide, ensuring that AI contributes to sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Simultaneously, Permanent Missions of Pakistan and Tajikistan at the United Nations, along with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, organized a high-level discussion on AI at UN Headquarters. In his keynote address, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, emphasized the government’s initiatives to harness AI as a catalyst for youth empowerment and national development.
Khan noted that the government has allocated Rs40.58 billion to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme for the current financial year, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to preparing its youth for an AI-driven economy. He highlighted the National Artificial Intelligence Policy, which aims to train one million AI professionals and 10,000 AI trainers by 2030, while expanding AI education, research, and innovation nationwide.
Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Tajikistan, underscored the transformative potential of AI in advancing sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of equitable access, capacity-building, and international cooperation to bridge the digital divide. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, stressed the need for strong international partnerships that ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared equitably and contribute to greater inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development.
The visit by Deputy Prime Minister Dar is part of a broader strategy to position Pakistan as a key player in global AI cooperation. By engaging with leaders from various nations, including China, Pakistan aims to leverage AI for national development and youth empowerment.
