News
July 17, 2026
Pakistan Joins Global AI Body WAICO as Founding Member
Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signing the agreement in Shanghai, the Foreign Office said.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement on the establishment of WAICO on behalf of Pakistan at the signing ceremony held today in Shanghai, China,” the Foreign Office said in a post on X.
As a founding member, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing international cooperation in artificial intelligence, particularly from the perspective of the Global South.
“Pakistan looks forward to working closely with fellow WAICO member states in efforts to help bridge the global AI divide and to promote equitable access to AI to advance development for all,” the statement added.
Dar arrived in Shanghai earlier in the day on a two-day visit to attend the 2026 WAIC and formalize Pakistan’s participation in the newly established organization.
He was received by Shanghai Vice Mayor Wu Wei, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires to China, Aizaz Khan, and Consul General Shahzad Ahmad Khan, according to the Foreign Office.
During the visit, the foreign minister is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of WAIC on July 17 and hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence and other areas of mutual interest.
The Foreign Office said Dar would engage with global leaders to promote inclusive and equitable AI governance, capacity-building, and collaboration aligned with the priorities of developing countries.
In recent years, Pakistan has sought to position itself as an emerging player in the AI sector, with growing talent and startups driving innovation across healthcare, education and agriculture.
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