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Pakistan in WAICO: From Founding Membership to Developmental AI Leadership

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  • Uzair Khaleeq-uz-Zaman

    (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad)

  • Eeman Taimur

    (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad)

Abstract

Pakistan's founding membership in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) offers an early opportunity to shape emerging approaches to AI governance, capacity-building, and equitable access. It can also provide a platform to strengthen Pakistan's domestic technological capabilities and expand its role in development-oriented AI cooperation. With ICT exports of approximately US$4.6 billion in FY2025-26, more than 34,000 registered IT and IT-enabled services companies, and a growing AI talent base, the country is well positioned to move beyond outsourcing and freelancing toward AI-based products, intellectual property, applied research, technology commercialization, and productivity enhancement. Hence, Pakistan should initially focus its WAICO engagement on three areas: developmental AI demonstration projects, multilingual and resource-efficient AI solutions, and joint talent, research, and commercialization mechanisms. Where relevant, these initiatives can leverage existing CPEC cooperation platforms rather than creating parallel institutional structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Uzair Khaleeq-uz-Zaman & Eeman Taimur, 2026. "Pakistan in WAICO: From Founding Membership to Developmental AI Leadership," PIDE Policy View Point 2026:73, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pid:pviewp:2026:73
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