Urumqi (Commerce Desk) — Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has arrived in China on a two-day official visit, where he will participate in the Digital Economy Forum.
Addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s ministerial meeting on digital economy cooperation, Ahsan Iqbal said the digital economy is an important means of accelerating production, trade, governance and human development.
The federal minister said that E-Pakistan is one of the five fundamental pillars of Uraan Pakistan, while digital transformation is a core part of the country’s development agenda. The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, Pakistan Digital Authority and National Artificial Intelligence Policy form the foundation of this transformation.
He said there are vast opportunities for cooperation between Pakistan and China in the fields of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, research and technical training.
Ahsan Iqbal proposed establishing a digital connectivity and computing corridor under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and stressed promoting cross-border fiber connectivity, data centers and satellite-based communications.
He said the principles of trust, privacy, cybersecurity, transparency and national sovereignty should be given the highest priority in digital cooperation.
According to the federal minister, Pakistan is committed to turning the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s digital partnership into practical outcomes and will promote connectivity, innovation and shared prosperity.
He said the benefits of digital infrastructure should not be limited to governments and large companies, but should also provide opportunities for youth, women, universities and small businesses.