pk-china-user By Xiong Weisheng
The Pakistani Embassy in China participated in the launch of a sovereign AI white paper at the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing on Friday, alongside representatives from China, Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Kazakhstan.
The white paper defines sovereign AI as a nation’s ability to maintain control over its AI systems, data, and digital infrastructure, while also emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in technology development, deployment, and governance.
During the launch, Zhang Peng, CEO of Zhipu AI, described sovereign AI as an increasingly critical national capability, closely tied to security, economic transformation, and influence in global AI governance.
Khan Muhammad Wazir, technology affairs counselor at the Pakistani Embassy, represented Pakistan at the ceremony. In an exclusive interview with China Economic Net following the event, he stated that Pakistan considers sovereign AI an important issue for all nations and views the initiative as a valuable platform for expanding cooperation.
“We believe in cooperation and in being part of such alliances and platforms,” Wazir said, reaffirming Pakistan’s participation.
He added that Pakistan aims to benefit from partnerships with Chinese companies and other stakeholders through the exchange of knowledge and resources.
Wazir also noted that broader cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology is steadily growing, with the private sector playing an increasingly important role alongside government-level engagement. He highlighted continued progress in areas such as science and technology, agriculture, and education.
Sovereign AI is gaining global attention as governments become more cautious about reliance on foreign technologies, particularly in sectors involving public services, sensitive data, and critical infrastructure. For countries like Pakistan, the issue extends beyond security concerns to include the need for AI systems that can be tailored to local languages, regulatory frameworks, and development priorities, rather than depending entirely on externally developed technologies.
