Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan conducted separate meetings with the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) and Sky47 to discuss the creation of a secure and AI-enabled digital ecosystem for the Ministry of Commerce and its associated organizations. The discussions emphasized the importance of treating government data as a national asset, strengthening Pakistan’s sovereign cloud infrastructure, and utilizing artificial intelligence for informed trade policymaking.

According to Press Information Department, the meetings highlighted the necessity of standardizing and integrating the Ministry’s extensive trade data to provide secure and actionable insights for exporters, businesses, and policymakers. Khan underscored the importance of connecting various departments and trade entities, integrating digital portals for a unified view of trade activities, and developing a national digital master plan for coordinated digital transformation.

The Pakistan Digital Authority presented a framework for data governance, emphasizing secure and standardized interdepartmental data exchange while protecting confidential information. The potential of AI to analyze trade trends and assist in policy recommendations was also discussed, alongside the need for domestic AI platforms for economic planning.

In discussions with Sky47, the focus was on expanding data-centre capacity, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. The establishment of an Open Network for Digital Commerce and reforms in public-sector technology procurement were also explored. Khan called for domestic alternatives to foreign AI platforms for handling sensitive data and directed continued consultations for secure data integration and AI-driven trade intelligence.

The Minister committed to working with the Pakistan Digital Authority, Sky47, and other stakeholders to ensure Pakistan’s digital transformation supports export growth, governance, innovation, and economic competitiveness.