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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for faster adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies across Pakistan, describing them as essential to national development and improvements in public services.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Shehbaz chaired a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday to review progress on AI, economic digitisation, digital governance and strategic cooperation with Alibaba Group.
The prime minister said the effective use of AI and modern technology could improve trade, exports, agricultural production, business facilitation and the delivery of government services.
He also stressed that cooperation with Alibaba must produce measurable results, directing relevant ministries to complete necessary measures by November and submit progress reports.
The prime minister said Pakistan had signed a memorandum of understanding with Alibaba during his visit to China, at the company’s headquarters in Hangzhou.
He described the partnership as an opportunity to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reach international markets and create new opportunities for technology-driven growth.
Shehbaz also highlighted the importance of modernising agriculture. He welcomed cooperation with Alibaba on agricultural automation and expanding exports of Pakistani agricultural commodities to Chinese markets.
The PMO said the meeting reviewed ongoing projects in agriculture, trade, healthcare, energy and public administration.
According to the PMO, work is underway on several technology initiatives, including AI-based agricultural models, tobacco track-and-trace technology and a digital platform to support exports of citrus fruits and olives.
A dedicated Pakistan Pavilion has also been established on Alibaba’s website to promote Pakistani products to international buyers.
The meeting was further briefed that digital verification of trade documents through the Pakistan Single Window had been activated.
In addition, a two-year programme involving the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Alibaba is being launched to help SMEs access global markets, training and e-commerce opportunities.
The government is also preparing a modern data platform and central data hub for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL).
In healthcare, officials discussed a proposed pilot project using AI to support cancer diagnosis. The prime minister urged authorities to accelerate work on an early cancer detection system in cooperation with Alibaba.
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The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is being provided with AI and business intelligence tools to analyse petroleum supply chain data, the PMO said.
Shehbaz directed OGRA to introduce an analytics system for monitoring the supply chain of petroleum products without delay. He also asked the Export Promotion Board to work with Alibaba to increase national exports.
The PMO said digital technology and AI initiatives in higher education, railways, postal services and urban administration were in the final stages of completion.
The meeting also reviewed plans for a 15-day AI training programme for IT graduates under the Ministry of Information Technology’s Ignite programme, in collaboration with Alibaba. The prime minister called for the programme to begin soon.
The latest review follows the government’s wider efforts to integrate technology into public administration.
On July 21, Shehbaz launched the AI-based Prime Minister’s Office System (PMOS) and directed relevant authorities to implement it fully. The system aims to replace traditional paper-based workflows with digital processes and improve monitoring of official directives.
The government has also announced plans for AI training programmes aimed at graduates, public officials, professionals, teachers and freelancers. The initiative is intended to strengthen digital skills and support wider adoption of AI across the economy.
The PMO said the latest meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Musadiq Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ataullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Syed Mustafa Kamal and Abdul Aleem Khan, along with Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior officials.
Shehbaz reiterated that departments must set clear targets, deadlines and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that cooperation with Alibaba translates into practical outcomes for businesses, exporters, farmers and public institutions.
[…] AI and Digitisation Key to Pakistan’s Development, Says PM Shehbaz […]