Sindh Government Signs MoU with Huawei to Develop Pakistan’s First AI-Powered Digital Province
By Qurban Ali Khushik
Shanghai, October 16, 2026: The Sindh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global technology company Huawei to establish a framework for transforming Sindh into Pakistan’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital province.
The agreement was finalised during Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah’s high-level visit to Huawei’s Lianqiu Lake Research and Development Centre in Shanghai, China. The partnership aims to accelerate digital governance, develop provincial cloud and data centre infrastructure, introduce smart city solutions, and equip Sindh’s youth with advanced information and communication technology (ICT) skills.
The MoU was signed by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Investment Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar in the presence of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Huawei Pakistan Chairman Ethan Sun.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the chief minister said the agreement marked a shift from simply purchasing technology towards developing it through joint projects, local capacity-building and skills development. He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring tangible benefits for citizens through the partnership.
Highlighting Huawei’s research and development capabilities, Murad Ali Shah noted the company’s substantial investment in innovation and technological advancement. He said collaboration with Huawei could help strengthen Sindh’s digital infrastructure and build local expertise in emerging technologies.
Four Priorities for the First Year The chief minister outlined four key priorities for the partnership’s first year:
Smart city pilot in Karachi: Establish a digital platform inspired by Wuhan’s smart city model to improve urban management, monitor city operations and strengthen flood early-warning capabilities. Provincial cloud and data centre: Develop a roadmap for government cloud infrastructure and data centres, incorporating disaster recovery, cybersecurity and AI computing capabilities. Innovation and training centre: Establish an innovation and training centre at Karachi Education City, including research and development facilities and an AI-powered smart park. ICT training for youth: Launch training and certification programmes for students in collaboration with universities across Sindh to prepare young people for opportunities in the digital economy. Murad Ali Shah also proposed a joint working group comprising designated focal persons from both sides to coordinate implementation and monitor progress against mutually agreed targets.
Wuhan Model to Guide Karachi’s Digital Transformation Referring to Wuhan’s use of technology for urban administration and early identification of potential crises, the chief minister said Karachi, with a population of more than 20 million, needed similar data-driven systems to address its growing urban challenges.
He said the Sindh government aimed to promote smart governance across Karachi and other cities while preparing the province’s workforce for a technology-driven economy.
The partnership will also explore cooperation in AI, cloud computing, smart cities, digital government and AI-enabled smart parks. The broader framework envisages joint pilot projects, technology transfer, institutional capacity-building and the development of locally relevant digital solutions.
Focus on Research and Skills Development During the visit, the chief minister acknowledged Huawei’s role in advancing ICT skills in Pakistan, including initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the Special Investment Facilitation Council to train 300,000 Pakistani youth.
The delegation also discussed the importance of research, innovation and industry-aligned training in strengthening Pakistan’s technological capabilities.
The agreement was signed at Huawei’s Lianqiu Lake Research and Development Centre in Shanghai, a major campus focused on areas including semiconductor design, 5G and 6G wireless technologies, intelligent automotive solutions and digital energy.
Murad Ali Shah said the ultimate success of the partnership would be measured not by the signatures on the agreement but by improvements in public services and the opportunities created for young people.
He thanked Huawei for its hospitality and confidence in Sindh and formally invited the company’s team to visit Karachi to further strengthen cooperation.