Pakistan Sets November Deadline for AI Projects Under Alibaba Partnership

October 28, 2026 at 7:39 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the relevant ministries to complete all necessary arrangements by November for projects under the country’s partnership with Alibaba Group, aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and technology-led economic growth.

Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister emphasised that the effective adoption of AI and modern technologies was crucial to boosting trade and exports, improving agricultural productivity, facilitating businesses and enhancing public service delivery, according to a statement issued by the PM House’s media wing.

He welcomed Alibaba’s cooperation in promoting Pakistani agricultural exports to Chinese markets and stressed the need to modernise the country’s agriculture sector through automation and the adoption of advanced technologies.

The Prime Minister said that the effective use of digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and modern technology plays an important role in improving trade, exports, agricultural production, business facilitation, and the quality of government services in Pakistan.

He also directed the authorities to ensure that all projects under the partnership were implemented with clearly defined targets, timelines, and effective monitoring mechanisms.

The meeting was briefed on progress in several areas, including AI-based agricultural models, tobacco track-and-trace technology, and digital platforms to support citrus fruit and olive exports.

A dedicated Pakistan Pavilion has also been established on Alibaba’s platform to showcase Pakistani products and promote their access to international markets.

A digital verification system for trade documents has been activated through the Pakistan Single Window. Meanwhile, a two-year programme is being launched in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Alibaba to help small and medium-sized enterprises access global markets through training and e-commerce opportunities.

The prime minister also directed the authorities to expedite a proposed pilot project for AI-assisted cancer diagnosis. He further called for the early launch of a 15-day AI training programme for IT graduates under the Ignite programme, in collaboration with Alibaba.

In the energy sector, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is being provided with AI and business intelligence tools to analyse fuel supply chain data. Shehbaz directed authorities to accelerate the introduction of an analytics system to improve monitoring of petroleum product supplies.

The meeting also reviewed progress on a modern data platform and central data hub for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL).

Initiatives to introduce AI and digital technologies in higher education, railways, postal services and urban management are also nearing completion.

The prime minister said the strategic partnership with Alibaba presented opportunities to help small and medium-sized enterprises expand into international markets and create new avenues for technology-driven development.

He recalled that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Alibaba had been signed at the company’s headquarters in Hangzhou during his visit to China.

He directed the relevant ministries to complete all necessary measures by November and submit progress reports to ensure the partnership delivers tangible results.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Abdul Aleem Khan and Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with senior officials, attended the meeting.

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