SHANGHAI / ISLAMABAD — Marking a historic milestone in its technological journey, Pakistan has officially become a founding member of the newly established World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
The landmark agreement was signed in Shanghai, China, during a high-profile diplomatic visit coinciding with the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).
A Milestone for the Global South
The agreement was officially signed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who is leading the high-level delegation to China alongside the Federal Minister for IT & Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja.
By joining WAICO as a founding member, Pakistan has secured a critical voice in shaping global artificial intelligence governance and development, ensuring that the interests of developing nations remain at the forefront of the technological revolution.
Strategic Objectives & Global Collaboration
The participation of Pakistan’s delegation at WAIC 2026 and within the newly formed WAICO highlights several key national priorities:
- Bridging the AI Divide: Collaborating with global partners to prevent a capability gap between developed nations and the Global South.
- Equitable Access: Promoting fair and open access to advanced AI technologies, open-source models, and shared computing resources.
- Inclusive Digital Governance: Ensuring international AI regulations respect national priorities, diverse cultures, and local development goals.
Driving Digital Transformation
Representing the IT sector, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja emphasized that Pakistan’s inclusion in WAICO aligns perfectly with the country’s ongoing digital transformation agenda and the upcoming National AI Policy.
“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.”
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan
Through its founding membership in WAICO, Pakistan is positioned to transition from being a mere consumer of global technology to an active partner in writing the rules for the future of artificial intelligence.
