Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has mandated clear targets, defined timelines, and effective monitoring for all projects undertaken with Alibaba Group to ensure tangible results. According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of these measures in a meeting held in Islamabad to review the progress on artificial intelligence (AI) and digitization efforts in governance and ongoing collaborations with Alibaba.
The meeting outlined directives for relevant ministries to complete necessary measures by next month and submit a report. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant role of digitalization, AI, and modern technology in improving trade, exports, agricultural productivity, ease of doing business, and the quality of public services. He welcomed Alibaba’s cooperation in facilitating Pakistani agricultural exports to Chinese markets and promoting automation in the agriculture sector.
Further instructions were issued to expedite the implementation of a cancer diagnosis system and analytics-based monitoring of petroleum products’ supply chains. An AI training program for IT graduates, under the Ministry of Information Technology’s Ignite program in collaboration with Alibaba, is to be implemented swiftly. This program will provide a 15-day training session.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of collaboration between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Alibaba to enhance exports. The government is committed to leveraging its strategic partnership with Alibaba to aid small and medium enterprises in accessing global markets, fostering technology-driven growth.
A Memorandum of Understanding with Alibaba was previously signed during his visit to China at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou. The meeting also reported progress on AI-based agricultural models, track-and-trace technology for tobacco, and digital platforms for citrus fruit and olive exports. A Pakistan Pavilion on Alibaba’s platform has been established to promote Pakistani products internationally.
Additionally, a digital verification system for trade documents via the Pakistan Single Window is operational. A two-year program with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and Alibaba aims to provide international market access, training, and e-commerce opportunities to small and medium enterprises.
The development of an advanced data platform and central data hub for the Federal Board of Revenue and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited was reviewed alongside a proposed AI-assisted cancer diagnosis pilot project in the health sector. In the energy sector, AI and business intelligence tools are being provided to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority to analyze fuel supply chain data.
Initiatives introducing digital technologies and AI in higher education, railways, postal services, and urban management are nearing completion, as informed in the meeting.