ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the UAE have signed a $200 million agreement to execute the third phase of the UAE Pakistan Assistance Program (UAE-PAP).
The program aims to provide humanitarian and development aid to Pakistan. The third phase “complements the previous phases, under which 165 development and humanitarian projects at a cost of $365 million have been established,” said Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Emirati ambassador to Pakistan.
“The relentless humanitarian and developmental efforts made by the UAE’s wise leadership are the basic pillars of the country’s foreign policy,” he added, citing the schools, colleges, hospitals, clinics, water supply projects, roads and bridges set up by his country in various regions of Pakistan.
“Such projects translate the importance that the UAE leadership attaches to education and health while building communities, with the ultimate goal of grooming generations capable of spearheading their nations in the future,” Al-Zaabi said.
Relations between the two countries “are based on mutual love and respect, and they have blossomed into a variety of fruitful partnerships,” he added.
“Pakistan and the UAE share the same principles of tolerance and inclusiveness as being the main guarantees for peace and stability in the region.”
The agreement, funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), was signed by UAE-PAP Director Abdullah Khalifa Al-Ghafli and Maj. Gen. Anwarul Haq Chaudhry of the Pakistani Army, in the presence of Al-Zaabi and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.
At the end of the signing ceremony, a memorial plaque was presented to Bajwa marking the 51st anniversary of the drive to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan, initiated in 1967 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, UAE president and ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan, UAE sign $200M assistance deal
Pakistan, UAE sign $200M assistance deal
- Program aims to provide humanitarian, development aid.
- At the end of the signing ceremony, a memorial plaque was presented to Bajwa marking the 51st anniversary of the drive to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan.
Pakistan IT minister in Kuwait to attend digital cooperation body meeting on AI risks
- Shaza Fatima Khawaja to attend event themed ‘Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI’
- Pakistan approved National AI Policy last year, launched first locally hosted AI cloud
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day visit to hold discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and its risks at the fifth Digital Cooperation Organization General Assembly (DCOGA), her office said.
The annual gathering brings together representatives of various states and international organizations to discuss the digital economy and the challenges associated with its growth. This year’s theme is “Inclusive Prosperity in the Age of AI.”
Pakistan has been actively developing its AI landscape, marked by the approval of the National AI Policy in July last year and the subsequent launch of its first locally hosted AI cloud in a bid to integrate AI for economic growth.
“The federal minister will participate in the General Assembly of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and hold meetings with representatives of member states,” the IT ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Discussions will be held on artificial intelligence and its risks, with meetings scheduled with global policymakers.”
Khawaja will hold high-level meetings with global leaders at the event and participate in the DCO thematic ministerial roundtable comprising ministers from various countries, it added.
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to position itself as a credible participant in the global AI economy to harness AI for productivity, skills development and innovation while managing regulatory risks.
Pakistan has mainly been engaging with Gulf countries on AI. In October last year, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Saudi Arabia has offered free training in IT and AI for Pakistani youth. Last November, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates agreed to deepen cooperation in AI, digital governance and data innovation.
Pakistan is also hosting a week-long national AI initiative, “AI Indus Week 2026,” from Feb. 9-15 to promote the responsible use of technology and accelerate the adoption of AI across the public and private sectors.
