Ishaq Dar Signs AI Agreement Shanghai to Mark Pakistan’s Global Tech Push

PAKISTAN – (Special Correspondent/Web Desk) – Pakistan officially became a WAICO founding member on Thursday, joining twenty-eight other countries in a landmark step for global artificial intelligence cooperation. The signing took place in Shanghai, China, where world leaders gathered to launch the new organization.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signs AI agreement Shanghai on behalf of Pakistan. He traveled to China for a two-day visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The trip placed Pakistan at the center of a major moment in world AI policy.

The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, known as WAICO, will be based in Shanghai. China first proposed the idea last year. This week, the plan finally became real when nearly thirty nations put their names on the founding agreement.

Countries like Kazakhstan, Laos, Russia, and Indonesia also joined as founding members. Together, these nations aim to build a shared platform for AI growth, safety, and fair access across the world.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of Pakistan at the signing ceremony held today in Shanghai, China.

As a… pic.twitter.com/F8InDUYvTf

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 16, 2026

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the move shows the country’s strong interest in working with other nations on new technology. Officials said Pakistan wants to support the Global South, meaning developing countries that often get left behind in tech progress.

The Foreign Office also said Pakistan will help close the gap between rich and poor nations in AI access. This includes pushing for fair rules so smaller countries are not left out of future AI benefits.

Ishaq Dar did not stop at the signing ceremony. He also planned to attend the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference the next day. This event brings together tech leaders, government officials, and researchers from across the globe.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to speak at the conference on Friday. His speech is expected to lay out China’s long-term goals for leading global AI rules and innovation. This will be Xi’s first time attending the event in person, which shows how seriously China is treating the AI race.

The event also arrives at an important time. China and the United States are getting ready for their first official AI discussions under the current US administration. Both countries have shown different views on how AI should be managed.

The US has warned that too many rules could slow down new AI ideas and business growth. China, meanwhile, has been promoting its low-cost, open AI tools as a way to help more countries access the technology without high costs.

A high-level meeting on AI governance is also expected during this trip. Progress on WAICO, along with a broader plan called the Global AI Governance Initiative, will likely be shared during this session.

For Pakistan, becoming a WAICO founding member is more than a diplomatic move. It signals the country’s plan to take an active role in shaping how AI grows and spreads around the world. As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of daily life, Pakistan’s early involvement could open doors for future tech partnerships, training programs, and shared resources with other member nations.

This step also reflects Pakistan’s growing focus on digital growth. With more attention on tech policy, the country hopes to build stronger ties with global partners while protecting the interests of developing nations in the fast-moving AI space.