Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for Shanghai on Thursday on a two-day visit to China, where Pakistan is set to become a founding member of the China-backed World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
According to the Foreign Office (FO), Dar will sign the founding membership agreement and represent Pakistan at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, where he is also expected to hold meetings with Chinese and other international leaders to promote global cooperation on artificial intelligence.
The FO said the deputy prime minister will present Pakistan’s perspective on strengthening international collaboration in AI, with a particular focus on the priorities of developing countries.
During his engagements, Dar will stress the need to bridge the global AI divide, ensure equitable access to emerging technologies, strengthen capacity-building, and promote the responsible use of artificial intelligence for sustainable development.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dar is also scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart and other senior officials to discuss bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest.
Read More: Dar Reaffirms Pakistan’s Commitment to SCO During Meeting with Secretary General
China proposed the establishment of WAICO last year as part of its broader vision for global AI governance. During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing in May, Pakistan formally endorsed the initiative and pledged to work closely with China in advancing international cooperation and governance in artificial intelligence.
The Shanghai conference is expected to serve as a key platform for unveiling China’s latest AI initiatives. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to address the event for the first time and outline Beijing’s vision for global AI governance.
Huawei is also expected to unveil its new Atlas 950 SuperPoD AI computing system, while several Chinese technology firms will showcase next-generation AI chips and computing platforms aimed at reducing reliance on US technology.
Read More: Pakistan Gears Up for SCO Chairmanship, FM Dar Reviews Preparations
The conference is being held as China and the United States prepare for their first government-level talks on artificial intelligence under President Donald Trump’s administration, placing AI governance and technological competition high on the global agenda.
