close
Tuesday January 21, 2025

Lahore to transform into 'digital city'

Collaboration with Huawei aims to modernise Lahore through technology-driven solutions

By Web Desk
December 13, 2024
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during her visit to Huawei’s headquarters in Shanghai’s Longgang District, China, December 13, 2024. Screengrab via Radio Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during her visit to Huawei’s headquarters in Shanghai’s Longgang District, China, December 13, 2024. Screengrab via Radio Pakistan

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, on her official visit to China, revealed a partnership with Huawei Technologies to revolutionise Lahore as Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art smart city.

During her visit to Huawei's headquarters in Shanghai's Longgang District, the Chief Minister was warmly received by company representatives, underscoring the significance of the collaboration.

Maryam extended an invitation to Huawei to invest in Punjab, particularly in the Nawaz Sharif IT City, and pledged comprehensive support for establishing assembly and manufacturing plants within the province.

Additionally, she proposed the development of retail offices and after-sales service centers to strengthen Huawei’s presence across Punjab.

In a comprehensive meeting with Huawei’s President for Government Affairs, Wang Chengdong, the chief minister discussed a detailed roadmap for Lahore’s transformation into a cutting-edge digital city.

Their discussions focused on advancing e-commerce, enhancing ecosystem production, and digitalising the health and education sectors.

Wang highlighted Huawei’s ongoing projects in Pakistan and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration, aligning with Punjab’s strategic goals for digital transformation.

The CM expressed particular interest in Huawei’s initiatives in health and education, recognising their potential to complement Punjab’s broader development objectives.

She applauded Huawei’s involvement in Lahore’s first Safe City project and encouraged the company to expand its role in building a modern, secure digital ecosystem.

She emphasised that the vision of a "Digital Punjab" relies on partnerships with global technology leaders like Huawei and proposed their support in capacity-building programs, IT research, and the development of Punjab’s first fully AI-based university.

These efforts, she noted, would equip Punjab’s youth with cutting-edge digital technologies, fostering innovation-driven growth and economic development in the province.

The chief minister highlighted the transformative role of technology in governance and urban development, reaffirming her commitment to innovation-led progress.

She stressed that modernising Lahore into a smart city would set a precedent for other cities in Pakistan, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving urban living standards.

The visit concluded with Maryam touring Huawei’s facilities, where she explored their advanced technological capabilities and discussed further collaboration opportunities.