Pakistan, UAE agree on digital governance cooperation to boost public sector reform

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal paid an official visit to the Department of Government Enablement (DGE) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where he met with Chairperson of DGE Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, a statement said on Friday.

The meeting focused on learning from the UAE’s pioneering experience in leveraging artificial intelligence, big data and digital technologies to modernise governance, enhance public service delivery and drive sustainable economic growth.

Iqbal and UAE officials discussed the transformative use of technology and presented Pakistan’s Uraan Pakistan initiative. Both sides agreed to exchange technological expertise and explored how their collaboration could support Pakistan’s modernisation efforts. The minister highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to adopting global best practices by reaching out to the UAE for strategic guidance in digital governance. The two sides affirmed their intention to share public sector technology practices.

During the meeting, Iqbal commended the UAE’s visionary leadership in advancing digital transformation and institutional innovation. He noted key platforms such as TAMM, which have streamlined government-citizen interactions and improved administrative efficiency. Highlighting Uraan Pakistan -- an ambitious national development vision aimed at transforming Pakistan into a competitive, knowledge-based economy by 2047 -- he underscored the critical role of e-governance, data-driven decision-making and citizen-centric service models in building inclusive, transparent and accountable public institutions.

The minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to integrating digital governance and smart technologies into its public sector reforms. He expressed keen interest in institutional collaboration with DGE in areas such as civil service upskilling, AI-supported planning tools, blockchain applications for public transactions and interoperability frameworks to improve the delivery of essential services.

Both parties agreed to explore structured avenues for cooperation, including knowledge exchange, capacity building, and pilot initiatives to embed emerging technologies into governance models. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates to deepening institutional linkages, promoting innovation-led development, and fostering regional cooperation in the digital economy.

Iqbal also extended an invitation to UAE experts to collaborate with Pakistan’s Planning Commission and relevant institutions to identify joint initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), public sector innovation and the objectives of Uraan Pakistan.