Ahsan Iqbal proposes SCO digital governance and AI capacity-building network

Digital governance redesigns government around citizens, data, interoperability and outcomes,” he said.“A paper-based bureaucracy cannot simply be transferred to a computer screen and called transformation.

We must move from department-centric to citizen-centric government, from isolated databases to interoperable digital public infrastructure, and from reactive administration to data-driven and intelligent government.”Iqbal said technology alone could not transform a state.

Successful digital transformation required skilled people, capable institutions, adequate financial resources and governance arrangements that enabled the secure and responsible use of data and emerging technologies.Highlighting Pakistan’s progress, he said digital transformation was embedded in the country’s national development agenda, Uraan Pakistan, through its E-Pakistan pillar.

These priorities also converged with the Growth, Innovation, Green Development, Livelihood and Openness Corridors of CPEC 2.0.He said the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 had established the National Digital Commission and the Pakistan Digital Authority, providing clear institutional ownership of the country’s digital transformation.The Digital Economy Enhancement Project was strengthening Pakistan’s digital public infrastructure and the Government’s capacity to deliver integrated, accessible and citizen-centred public services.The minister said Pakistan was….

The National Centre of Artificial Intelligence, operating through nine laboratories across six leading universities, had developed more than 220 AI products and designs for different sectors.Pakistan had also set a target of developing one million AI-skilled non-IT professionals by 2030.

Seven AI hubs were being established under the National AI Advancement Initiative, which would provide 20,000 training opportunities for graduates, teachers, public officials and industry professionals.

Meanwhile, the DigiSkills programme had recorded more than 4.5 million enrolments.“Digital capacity cannot remain confined to technology specialists,” Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasised. “Ministers require digital leadership skills, civil servants must be able to work with data, regulators need to understand the systems they govern, and entrepreneurs require access to skills, mentors, finance and markets.”Presenting Pakistan’s proposed framework for SCO cooperation, the Minister outlined five initiatives:Iqbal proposed beginning cross-border data cooperation….

Cooperation could subsequently expand into agriculture, climate, health, research and industrial applications as institutional trust developed.He stressed that SCO initiatives must be supported by measurable targets, including the number of officials trained, systems made interoperable, fellowships completed, joint projects launched and citizens gaining access to digital public services.“Our cooperation must move from declarations to demonstrable outcomes,” he said.Pakistan, he reaffirmed, stood ready to work with China and all SCO member….

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