Tech Desk 
Jul 27, 2025
Pakistan and China is stepping up talks on advanced technology cooperation with a strong focus on the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Pakistan's Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, met with a senior Chinese delegation to discuss areas for collaboration on AI, health tech, and raising the level of digital governance.
The delegations were joined by representation from the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Shanghai Zhangjiang High-tech City Medical Innovation Research Institute, and Shenlan Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., among others.
Notably, the main topics of discussion, which involved IT minister and Shenlan Technology Chairman Mr. Chen Wei, were to propose an AI skills swap programme for Pakistani youth as a way for them to learn about artificial intelligence and gain access to the rapidly growing global tech industry.
The two delegations also talked about working with Pakistan's National IT Board in relation to a software smart city project that would provide digital governance solutions and improved running of cities to make services work better to benefit the citizen.
Moreover, the Chinese delegation expressed a strong interest in working with Pakistani start-ups in health tech, edtech, and fintech, for example, to utilise Chinese medicine research in attempting to solve chronic and neurological diseases using AI and to explore more general business research.
Fatima welcomed these ideas, stressing Pakistan’s commitment to using emerging technologies for development. She assured the Chinese side of the ministry of IT and Telecommunication’s support in building partnerships that can boost innovation, strengthen digital skills, and create new opportunities for Pakistani youth.
