ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has signed an agreement in Shanghai, China, to become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), marking a significant step in the country’s engagement with global efforts to promote cooperation and governance in artificial intelligence.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the development in a post on X on Thursday.
Deputy PM Dar shared a photo on X with a caption ‘31 Founding Member States after the signing ceremony in Shanghai, China, of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation.’
Group photo of the 31 Founding Member States after the signing ceremony in Shanghai, China of the Agreement on the Establishment of The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation. pic.twitter.com/QTKua4fNhW
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 16, 2026
As a founding member of WAICO, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to advance international cooperation in the area of Artificial Intelligence, especially from the perspective of the Global South, a Foreign Office statement said.
Pakistan looks forward to working closely with fellow WAICO member states in efforts to help bridge the global AI divide and to promote equitable access to AI to advance development for all.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of Pakistan at the signing ceremony held today in Shanghai, China.
As a… pic.twitter.com/F8InDUYvTf
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 16, 2026
Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives, Ali Dar, in a post on X said Pakistan, becomes a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation.
Pakistan becomes a Founding Member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation 🇵🇰 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/HLspK2KgzC
— Ali Dar (@alimdar82) July 16, 2026
Earlier, Ishaq Dar arrived in Shanghai, China, for a two-day official visit to sign the WAICO agreement and boost Pakistan-China ties.
He will also attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference on 17 July and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, the Foreign Office said.
Upon his arrival at Shanghai International, Ishaq Dar was received by Wu Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor of Shanghai, along with Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires to China, Aizaz Khan, and Pakistan’s Consul General in Shanghai, Shahzad Ahmad Khan.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, along with the delegation, has arrived in Shanghai, China, for an official visit from 16-17 July 2026.
During his visit, he will attend the signing ceremony for the Agreement on the Establishment of… pic.twitter.com/sTxjlOTDYX
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 16, 2026
China proposed establishment of WAICO last year
China proposed the establishment of WAICO last year as a global platform to strengthen cooperation and governance in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.
An earlier statement by the Foreign Office said Dar is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and meet with other foreign counterparts to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Also Read: Pakistan Deputy PM Arrives in China to Join World AI Cooperation Organisation
On 16 July, the Deputy PM will attend the signing ceremony for the establishment of the WAICO and will sign the Agreement on behalf of Pakistan as a Founding Member.
Deputy PM Dar will also participate in the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance on 17 July 2026, the Foreign Office said.
🔈 PR No. 1️⃣7️⃣2️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to Attend Signing Ceremony for the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai, China
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/I5ZvqaAPnG
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 15, 2026
He will underscore the importance of bridging the global AI divide, promoting equitable access to AI technologies, enhancing capacity-building, and ensuring that the benefits of AI contribute to sustainable development and shared prosperity for all.
Pakistan’s decision to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) comes amid a national push to transition into a knowledge-based digital economy.
Following the formal approval of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy and the Islamabad AI Declaration, the country has committed to a massive $1 billion investment by 2030 to build a robust digital infrastructure.
