Ayesha Saba

Pakistan and China have agreed to establish an Innovation Corridor to deepen cooperation in the information technology sector, focusing on 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and big data projects.

The decision is part of the China-Pakistan Action Plan (2025–2029), adopted during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Beijing. The plan brief available with Wealth Pakistan identifies digital development as a major pillar of the next phase of bilateral cooperation, alongside infrastructure, industry and human resources.

According to the document, the two countries will advance information and communication infrastructure by encouraging Chinese companies to invest in projects such as fibre-optic networks, satellite internet and international land and sea cables in Pakistan, including for transit internet traffic.

The action plan states that both sides will collaborate on policy exchanges and practical cooperation in IT industry regulation and radio spectrum management. Universities and scientific institutions from Pakistan and China will be encouraged to launch digital academic exchanges and joint talent development programmes to build a skilled workforce in emerging technologies.

The Innovation Corridor is also expected to facilitate investment from Chinese companies in Pakistan’s digital economy, creating opportunities for new ventures in software, AI applications, 5G deployment, and data-driven services.

Officials believe that the initiative will not only strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure but also accelerate its transformation into a regional hub for innovation, complementing the goals of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Credit: INP-WealthPk