PM Shehbaz gives November deadline for AI, digitalisation projects with Alibaba

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant ministries to complete all necessary steps by November and submit progress reports on projects being pursued under Pakistan’s strategic cooperation with Alibaba Group, including AI-based cancer detection, agricultural automation, export promotion and fuel supply chain monitoring.

In May, Pakistan and Alibaba Group had entered into a landmark partnership following the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at driving comprehensive digital transformation and technological advancement across the South Asian nation.

Chairing a review meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister called for clear targets, fixed timelines and effective monitoring to ensure the collaboration produces tangible results.

He directed the relevant authorities to expedite a 15-day artificial intelligence training programme for IT graduates under the Ministry of Information Technology’s Ignite programme in collaboration with Alibaba.

He also called for the early implementation of an AI-based system for the early detection of cancer and an analytics system, developed with Alibaba’s support, to monitor the petroleum products supply chain through the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

Shehbaz said the effective use of artificial intelligence, digitalisation and modern technology could improve Pakistan’s trade, exports, agricultural productivity, business facilitation and public services.

He welcomed Alibaba’s support for promoting Pakistani agricultural exports in Chinese markets and cooperation on introducing automation in the agriculture sector.

He also directed the Export Promotion Board to work with Alibaba to help increase the country’s exports.

The prime minister said the government aimed to use the strategic partnership to expand access to international markets for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and create new opportunities for technology-led development.

The meeting reviewed progress on projects being undertaken under the strategic cooperation between the government and Alibaba Group.

Officials said work was under way on artificial intelligence-based models for agriculture, track-and-trace technology for tobacco, and digital platforms to support exports of citrus fruits and olives. A dedicated Pakistan pavilion has also been established on Alibaba’s platform to promote Pakistani products internationally.

The Pakistan Single Window system has activated digital verification of trade documents, while a two-year programme is being launched through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and Alibaba to help SMEs access international markets, training and e-commerce opportunities.

The meeting also reviewed plans for an advanced data platform and central data hub for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL), as well as a proposed pilot project using artificial intelligence to assist cancer diagnosis.

In the energy sector, Ogra is being provided with AI and business intelligence tools to analyse fuel supply chain data. Initiatives involving digital technology and artificial intelligence in higher education, railways, postal services and urban management are also nearing completion, officials told the meeting.

Shehbaz said digitalisation and artificial intelligence were essential to Pakistan’s development and called for effective implementation of the initiatives underway with Alibaba.

The prime minister recalled that a memorandum of understanding with Alibaba had been signed during his visit to the group’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China.

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