DNA
SHANGHAI: Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar concluded his two-day visit to Shanghai, China, on 17 July 2026.
During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of Pakistan. A total of 29 countries signed the Agreement. It may be recalled that Pakistan is one of the founding members of WAICO, a key platform for international cooperation, capacity building, and bridging the digital divide. The signing ceremony was preceded by a banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping in honour of the visiting delegations.
The Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister also attended the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which was inaugurated by President Xi Jinping.
The Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister underscored the importance of ensuring equitable access to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Besides reaffirming their resolve to further strengthen bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed that technological advancement should support sustainable development and the socio-economic progress of developing countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister also held meetings on the sidelines of the Conference with his counterparts and other dignitaries to discuss bilateral and multilateral matters of mutual interest.
The visit is expected to further strengthen Pakistan-China cooperation in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and emerging technologies, while also advancing global cooperation in these fields.
