LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met senior officials of the Chinese technology giant Huawei and discussed expanding cooperation in AI, digital infrastructure and smart public services as well as training 1,000 youth from Punjab as Huawei master trainers, while 300 women trainers will also receive AI training from the company.

A statement said that the CM welcomed the company’s collaboration with Punjab and invited Huawei to invest in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The two sides agreed to train 1,000 youth as Huawei master trainers, while 300 women trainers would also receive AI training.

The meeting also reviewed a proposal to establish an artificial intelligence delivery unit in Punjab and discussed setting up six data centres, including a sovereign data centre at the Nawaz Sharif IT City. The participants also agreed to designate a focal person to improve coordination between Huawei and the government of Pakistan. Cooperation in smart cities, command centres, healthcare, education, agriculture and manufacturing was also discussed.

The CM said that advancing Punjab in the field of AI was a top priority, adding that the province was among the most active regions in Pakistan and South Asia in adopting technology.

“Talent development and inclusive access to technology are key pillars of Punjab’s strategy,” she said, adding that cloud computing, digital infrastructure and locally-developed AI models would be developed in the province.

Meanwhile, the CM expressed grief over the loss of lives and damage to property caused by torrential rains and severe flooding in Nepal.

Expressing solidarity with the people of Nepal, she said the people of Punjab stood with their Nepali brothers and sisters in this difficult hour. She prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and early rehabilitation of families affected by the disaster.

She said the Punjab government was ready to extend all possible assistance to the Nepal government on humanitarian grounds.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2026