SHANGHAI – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar visited China to strengthen Pakistan’s tech-focused partnership with China, holding high-level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and signing the agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
The high-level engagement underscored Islamabad and Beijing’s growing focus on emerging technologies, with artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and innovation taking center stage in discussions between the two sides.
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
Dar was accompanied by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives Ali Mustafa Dar, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Dr. Syed Asad Ali Gillani, and Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Beijing, Aizaz Khan.
During the bilateral meeting, Dar and Wang reviewed the state of Pakistan-China relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the countries’ longstanding All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Both leaders agreed to accelerate cooperation under CPEC 2.0, with particular emphasis on high-quality development, trade, investment, science and technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence.
The talks also covered key regional and international developments, with both sides expressing their resolve to maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest amid an evolving global geopolitical landscape.
Pakistan among founding member of global AI cooperation body
In a parallel development, Pakistan formally joined the founding framework of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization after Senator Ishaq Dar signed the agreement establishing the international AI body. The move signals Islamabad’s intention to play a more active role in shaping global AI collaboration and governance.
By becoming a signatory, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation in artificial intelligence while advocating equitable access to AI technologies. The government also reiterated its willingness to work alongside partner countries to promote responsible AI development, innovation-driven growth, and inclusive technological advancement.
Dar Lands in Shanghai as Pakistan set to join global AI Body
