Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the relevant ministries and departments to ensure that all projects being undertaken in collaboration with Alibaba Group were implemented with clearly defined targets, timelines and effective monitoring mechanisms to achieve tangible results.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review progress on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitisation in governance and the economy, as well as ongoing cooperation with Alibaba Group, the prime minister instructed the ministries concerned to complete all necessary measures by next month and submit a progress report.
He said the effective use of digitisation, artificial intelligence and modern technologies could play a significant role in improving trade, exports, agricultural productivity, ease of doing business and the quality of public services.
PM Shehbaz welcomed Alibaba’s cooperation in facilitating Pakistani agricultural exports to Chinese markets and promoting automation in the agriculture sector.
He directed the relevant authorities to ensure the early implementation of an AI-assisted cancer diagnosis system and analytics-based monitoring of petroleum product supply chains.
The prime minister also called for expediting an AI training programme for IT graduates under the Ministry of Information Technology’s Ignite initiative, in collaboration with Alibaba.
The programme will provide participants with 15 days of training in artificial intelligence.
He stressed the need for close coordination between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Alibaba to enhance the country’s exports.
PM Shehbaz said the government was committed to making full use of its strategic partnership with Alibaba to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) gain access to global markets and create new opportunities for technology-driven economic growth.
Recalling his visit to China, the prime minister said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Alibaba at the company’s headquarters in Hangzhou.
He emphasised that artificial intelligence and digitisation were essential to Pakistan’s development.
During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on progress in various technology-driven initiatives, including AI-based agricultural models, track-and-trace technology for tobacco and digital platforms designed to facilitate exports of citrus fruit and olives.
The meeting was informed that a dedicated Pakistan Pavilion had been established on Alibaba’s platform to promote Pakistani products in international markets.Officials also reported that a digital verification system for trade documents through Pakistan Single Window had become operational.
A two-year programme is being launched in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Alibaba to provide SMEs with access to international markets, training opportunities and e-commerce facilities.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the development of an advanced data platform and a central data hub for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL).
In the health sector, participants discussed progress on a proposed pilot project for AI-assisted cancer diagnosis.Officials informed the meeting that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) was being equipped with artificial intelligence and business intelligence tools to analyse data relating to petroleum product supply chains.
The prime minister was further informed that initiatives aimed at introducing digital technologies and artificial intelligence in higher education, railways, postal services and urban management were nearing completion.
