Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja engaged with leading Chinese technology companies during her visit to the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, highlighting Pakistan’s focus on accelerating digital transformation and infrastructure development. In a meeting with representatives from PeaceCable International Network, the minister emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to expanding fibre connectivity as a central pillar of the national digital agenda. PeaceCable’s CEO Sun Xiaohua and Sales Director Zhuang Wei shared the company’s extensive $24 billion global portfolio, which includes submarine cable networks, fibre infrastructure, and energy systems. Discussions focused on enhancing submarine and terrestrial fibre-optic links to support Pakistan’s broadband growth targets.
The minister briefed the PeaceCable delegation on the National Fiberisation Policy, which aims to connect 10 million households to fibre broadband within three years. She also noted the government’s plan to significantly increase the number of fiberised mobile towers from 14 percent to 60 percent, improving digital access across the country. Shaza Fatima Khawaja invited PeaceCable to explore investment opportunities in fibre-to-the-home deployment, the optical distribution network segment, and terrestrial fibre initiatives. She assured the delegation of full support from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication to facilitate investment and deployment in Pakistan’s expanding digital ecosystem.
In another meeting during the same conference, the minister held discussions with a delegation led by Cheng Dong of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. The group also included Liu Yuangui of Shenlan Technology, Professor Zhao Shanting, and Dr He Bin from the Zhangjiang High-tech City Medical Innovation Research Institute. These talks centered on strengthening collaboration in artificial intelligence, particularly in skills development, digital governance frameworks, and emerging sectors like smart city innovation and medical technology research. One of the key points raised was the potential launch of an AI skills exchange programme aimed at building capacity among Pakistani youth in high-demand AI technologies.
The meeting further explored the possibility of joint ventures in areas such as health technology, education technology, and financial technology. Delegates discussed showcasing advanced tools including AI-enabled smart maintenance machinery and intelligent platforms designed for operational efficiency. The National IT Board was identified as a potential coordination partner for these initiatives, enabling deeper institutional collaboration and integration of digital governance tools in public sector operations.
These engagements reflect Pakistan’s growing efforts to deepen partnerships with international tech leaders and strengthen its digital economy through targeted cooperation in fibre broadband expansion, AI skills enhancement, and smart technology innovation. Through strategic alliances and bilateral dialogue, Pakistan aims to build robust infrastructure and human capital that align with the goals of Digital Pakistan.
