London: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the government is working on a priority basis to leverage new technologies for national and economic development. He was speaking during a meeting with a high-level delegation of leading artificial intelligence experts during his private visit to the United Kingdom last week. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to benefit from global expertise, particularly the participation of overseas Pakistanis, to fast-track Pakistan's digital and economic transformation.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister stressed that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence must be aligned with national priorities, institutional capacity, and inclusive development objectives. Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government is actively engaging the private sector to improve the delivery of public services, highlighting the critical role of private sector involvement in enhancing public service efficiency.

The delegation members discussed the practical use of artificial intelligence to address key challenges faced by Pakistan. The delegation comprised senior representatives from prominent global institutions and organizations, including BlackRock, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Deloitte, and leading international AI and technology companies. Chairman Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Bilal Bin Saqib was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Bilal Bin Saqib mentioned that artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept for Pakistan but a present-day opportunity, and the government is taking concrete measures in this regard. The meeting reflects Pakistan's broader vision for digital transformation, innovation-led growth, and the integration of internationally oriented institutional partners into technology-driven public policymaking.