Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are moving toward a new phase of collaboration that links digital skills training directly to employment and joint technology ventures, under a fresh artificial intelligence partnership between the two countries. Pakistan’s IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja revealed the details in an interview with Arab News, emphasizing that the partnership aims to bring tangible outcomes through job creation and cross-border business formation rather than traditional aid or loan-based programs.
At the center of this initiative is a planned “AI Hub,” envisioned as a matchmaking platform designed to connect Pakistani freelancers, software houses, and technology firms with Saudi companies seeking digital services. This approach signifies a major shift in Pakistan’s digital development policy, moving from short-term training targets to measurable employment outcomes. According to Khawaja, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that future digital training programs be judged not by the number of trainees but by how many of them secure jobs as a result. She noted that through the AI Hub, Pakistan aims to form joint ventures, support private sector firms, and attract investment that contributes to sustainable economic growth on both sides.
Khawaja pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s GO Telecom recently launched an artificial intelligence hub in Islamabad, marking the company’s first major technology venture in Pakistan. GO Telecom, a key player in Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation, provides cloud and data services and is now expanding its global reach beyond the petroleum industry. The minister highlighted Pakistan’s strong value proposition in this partnership, citing its young, skilled, and cost-effective workforce. She said the collaboration is designed to leverage the strengths of both countries, combining Pakistan’s technical expertise with Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for digital services and innovation-driven projects.
The new AI initiative builds on the broader Economic Cooperation Framework that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agreed to launch following a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh. This framework focuses on enhancing cooperation in energy, trade, investment, and infrastructure, while also encouraging public-private partnerships. Khawaja said Saudi Arabia has shown unprecedented commitment to investing in Pakistan’s economy, emphasizing that this new model is based on value creation and shared growth opportunities for both nations.
In addressing local concerns about Internet quality, Khawaja also discussed efforts to improve connectivity across Pakistan. Citizens have faced slow Internet speeds in recent months due to maintenance on undersea cables and temporary service suspensions during public protests in major cities. The minister attributed persistent slow speeds to spectrum congestion and noted that the government has already vacated 600 megahertz of spectrum, which is planned for auction early next year. She added that Islamabad is working to increase submarine cable links and expand fiber-optic coverage nationwide to improve the overall Internet experience for users.
The AI Hub and related digital infrastructure projects represent Pakistan’s efforts to align workforce development with emerging global technology needs while deepening its economic relationship with Saudi Arabia.
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