Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has used a major Chinese technology gathering to pitch the province as a potential hub for data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and advanced digital infrastructure, seeking deeper Chinese investment in Punjab’s technology-driven economy.

Maryam, speaking at the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2026, underlined the increasing significance of data as an economic asset, and urged for enhanced Pakistan-China collaboration in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and emerging technologies. She also urged Chinese companies to tap opportunities in the energy, cloud, computing and connectivity sectors of Punjab.

The push comes as Pakistan and China deepen cooperation beyond traditional infrastructure projects. In December 2025, the two countries signed 24 technology-related MoUs covering ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, digital skills and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

The Punjab delegation also visited the National Big Data (Guizhou) Comprehensive Pilot Zone of China where the officials looked at applications of big data in governance, smart logistics, environmental monitoring, self-driving vehicles and AI. Such technologies could help Punjab potentially improve environment monitoring and combat smog, officials said.

The latest outreach is the latest in a series of efforts by Punjab to attract Chinese technology investment. Chinese companies were keen to invest $700 million in Punjab in January 2025, including a computing centre and a data and cloud centre at Nawaz Sharif IT City in Lahore.

With data becoming a more strategic economic resource, Maryam’s China initiative signals Punjab’s ambition to translate digital connectivity and Chinese technological expertise into investment, jobs and a broader technology ecosystem.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)