The Pakistani Embassy in China has officially joined an international alliance to launch a white paper on Sovereign AI during the Zhongguancun (ZGC) Forum in Beijing. Pakistan participated alongside representatives from China, Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Kazakhstan. The document establishes a framework for “Sovereign AI,” defined as the ability of a nation to maintain autonomous control over its AI systems, data, and core infrastructure, while simultaneously fostering global cooperation in technology deployment and governance.
During the launch, industry leaders, including Zhipu AI CEO Zhang Peng, emphasized that Sovereign AI has evolved into a critical national capability. It is now inextricably linked to national security, economic modernization, and a country’s ability to influence global AI standards. For a developing nation like Pakistan, the initiative addresses growing concerns regarding over-dependence on foreign technology—particularly for public services and critical infrastructure—ensuring that AI tools can be tailored to local languages, domestic regulatory requirements, and specific development priorities.
Khan Muhammad Wazir, the technology affairs counselor at the Pakistani Embassy, represented the country at the ceremony. In an interview following the event, Wazir noted that Pakistan views this platform as a vital opportunity to expand scientific and technological cooperation with Chinese firms and international partners. He highlighted that Pakistan-China collaboration is currently broadening beyond government-to-government agreements, with a growing role for the private sector in fields such as agriculture, education, and advanced science.
