In a significant development, Pakistan and China jointly called for a ceasefire and the resumption of dialogue between the United States and Iran during discussions held in Shanghai. The talks involved Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of all parties honoring their commitments and adhering to the ceasefire memorandum of understanding, reinforcing the call for peace in the region.
The meeting coincided with events celebrating the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Pakistan signed the founding agreement, becoming a founding member of this newly created international body. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar represented Pakistan at the signing ceremony in Shanghai, signaling Islamabad’s dedication to enhancing global cooperation in artificial intelligence.
Pakistan’s involvement in WAICO highlights its focus on promoting the priorities and developmental needs of the Global South. The Foreign Office stated that Pakistan intends to use this platform to bridge the global AI divide, increase equitable access to emerging technologies, strengthen capacity-building efforts, and ensure that AI contributes to sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Through its founding membership, Pakistan aims to collaborate with other WAICO members to address disparities in AI technology access worldwide. The ministry stressed Islamabad’s commitment to fostering equitable AI development to benefit developing countries and support global progress.
During his visit, Senator Dar underscored the significance of capacity-building initiatives and ensuring that AI advancements help narrow technological gaps rather than widen them. He also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote address at the organization’s opening ceremony, where President Xi described AI as a collective human asset that brings great promise alongside shared responsibility.
Senator Dar’s official visit to Shanghai, from July 16 to 17, 2026, was undertaken at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and included a delegation. Besides signing the WAICO agreement, Dar participated in the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.
On the sidelines, Dar held a bilateral meeting with Wang Yi, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Discussions focused on advancing high-quality development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, highlighting key projects such as the Siah Diq mining project, the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Realignment Project, and other bilateral priorities agreed upon during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China in May 2025.
The delegation accompanying Senator Dar included IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Adviser to the Chief Minister of Punjab on AI Ali Mustafa Dar, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, and Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Dr. Syed Asad Ali Gillani.
Expressing gratitude to the Chinese leadership and Pakistani diplomatic missions in China for their support, Senator Dar concluded his visit by departing Shanghai to return to Islamabad for further diplomatic engagements.
