Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing has resulted in a breakthrough for Pakistan’s information technology and telecom sector, as the Ministry of IT and its subsidiaries signed 10 key agreements with Chinese counterparts and major tech companies. The deals, finalized during the Pakistan-China Business Conference, are being hailed as a milestone in bilateral cooperation.
According to details, the agreements include a partnership with Alibaba to provide e-commerce training programs for Pakistani youth, while Huawei has signed a strategic framework aimed at improving nationwide connectivity. The Ministry of IT also reached an accord with China’s Ministry of Industry and IT to collaborate on emerging technologies.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shiza Fatima described the agreements as a turning point for Pakistan’s digital transformation. She announced that Pakistan will soon launch its first full-stack AI cloud, while ZTE has committed to training 100,000 Pakistani youth in advanced technologies. Under the same framework, a Global ICT Training Center will be established in Islamabad.
Shiza Fatima further revealed that Alibaba will provide Pakistan with an open-source language model, while AI-powered diagnostic solutions for healthcare will be introduced in the country. She also highlighted plans to introduce AI-based educational tools in Islamabad schools through collaboration with Chinese firms.
Additional agreements were signed for the development of a National Fiber Backhaul Network and expansion of submarine cable infrastructure, both of which are expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s digital connectivity. Officials noted that these initiatives aim to increase Pakistan’s B2B export market by up to tenfold in the coming years.
