Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, currently on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Digital Economy Forum 2026, today addressed the Ministerial-Level Closed-Door Meeting on SCO Digital Economy Cooperation in Urumqi.
The Federal Minister said the digital economy had become a key driver of productivity, trade, governance and human development, offering the SCO region a major opportunity to accelerate growth, create quality employment and bridge development gaps.
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan had placed digital transformation at the centre of its national development agenda, with E-Pakistan as one of the five principal pillars of URAAN Pakistan . He highlighted the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, the Pakistan Digital Authority and the National AI Policy as key steps towards digital public services, data-driven policymaking and responsible artificial intelligence.
He said Pakistan greatly valued its cooperation with China in digital technologies, particularly through the CPEC Joint Working Group on Information Technology and Industry and the China-SCO Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Application Cooperation Centre. These platforms, he added, could further cooperation in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, research and skills development.
The Minister proposed an SCO Digital Connectivity and Compute Corridor combining stronger cross-border fibre links, resilient networks, data centres, satellite connectivity and interoperable cloud and computing resources. He stressed that digital infrastructure should serve governments as well as universities, startups, SMEs, women, youth and remote communities.
Calling for greater trust in digital cooperation, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of privacy, cybersecurity, accountability, transparent data access and respect for national sovereignty. He supported an SCO Sovereign AI Infrastructure and Governance Framework to strengthen national capabilities and promote responsible AI.
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan, as it assumes the Presidency of the SCO Council of Heads of State under the theme “ Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity, ” supports institutionalizing SCO digital economy cooperation through regular ministerial dialogue, technical coordination and result-oriented projects.
He said the success of SCO cooperation should ultimately be measured through tangible outcomes, including faster trade, stronger industries, better public services, skilled people and wider digital opportunities. Pakistan, he added, stands ready to work with SCO member states to transform connectivity, innovation and trust into shared digital prosperity.
