Saudi Arabia has expressed strong interest in leveraging Pakistan’s growing pool of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology professionals as part of the Kingdom’s broader economic and digital transformation plans. The development highlights rising international recognition of Pakistan’s human capital in advanced technologies, alongside continued engagement on bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
The matter was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim, held on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference 2026 for Emerging Market Economies. According to an official press release, both sides reviewed progress on Saudi investment commitments in Pakistan and discussed practical steps to further strengthen economic ties.
During the discussion, Minister Alibrahim highlighted the quality and scale of Pakistan’s AI and technology workforce, describing the country as ranking among the top one or two globally in this area. He said Saudi Arabia is keen to benefit from Pakistani professionals to support the Kingdom’s ongoing technological transformation, particularly as it advances its digital economy and diversification agenda. In this context, he referred to remarks by US businessman and former Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt, who has also acknowledged the strength and global potential of Pakistani tech talent.
Senator Aurangzeb informed the Saudi delegation that Pakistan is planning to establish a structured pipeline of skilled human resources for key international markets, including Saudi Arabia. He noted that the initiative aims to create mutual economic benefits by meeting Saudi demand for high-quality technology professionals while generating employment opportunities and foreign exchange inflows for Pakistan. He also emphasized that human capital exports, particularly in high-value technology sectors, are becoming an increasingly important component of Pakistan’s economic strategy.
Beyond talent collaboration, the meeting covered trade and investment matters. Minister Alibrahim shared updates on progress related to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement and stressed the importance of increasing trade volumes and economic exchanges with Pakistan, noting that stronger trade links would complement cooperation in technology and workforce development.
On the investment front, Senator Aurangzeb said dedicated teams from Pakistan are actively engaged in advancing the process to finalize Saudi Arabia’s investment commitments in the country. He also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting the AlUla Conference, describing it as strategically important, and thanked Minister Alibrahim for the Kingdom’s continued engagement with Pakistan’s economy.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across technology, trade, investment, and human capital development, signaling a shared intent to translate dialogue into practical economic outcomes.
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