Pakistan and UAE Collaboration in AI, Blockchain and Digital Economy

The visiting business group – which includes Dubai’s Damac Properties and Prypco – highlighted global best practices and private-sector innovations that could strengthen Pakistan’s financial system. They noted these innovations can enhance transparency, efficiency, investor access and financial inclusion, while fully respecting Pakistan’s legal and regulatory framework. The discussions came against the backdrop of Islamabad’s recent reforms in digital finance. Pakistani officials stressed they are evaluating compliant blockchain infrastructure for sovereign and private assets; both sides agreed that, if deployed prudently, these technologies can deepen capital markets, attract foreign investment and support sustainable growth.

Finance Minister Aurangzeb welcomed the partnership proposal and appreciated the delegation’s constructive engagement. He reiterated the government’s commitment to responsible innovation, strong governance and regulatory compliance, emphasizing that any future collaboration would be aligned with Pakistan’s national priorities and legal requirements. In official remarks he noted Pakistan is actively engaging credible international partners to assess new technologies that could strengthen its financial ecosystem.

The UAE team included senior executives such as Amira Hussain Sajwani (co-managing director of Damac Group and CEO of Prypco), Aqib Hassan (Chief Commercial Officer, One Homes), Alp Ozenalp (Chief of Staff, One Group) and Joseph El Am (General Manager of Tokenisation, Prypco). These leaders brought expertise in real estate, fintech and blockchain solutions. They will work closely with Pakistani authorities to devise pilot projects and capacity-building programs under the new partnership.

Digital Pakistan Vision and Women’s Financial Inclusion

Separately, the delegation met Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja to explore opportunities within Pakistan’s fast-growing tech ecosystem. Khawaja told the UAE visitors that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Digital Nation Pakistan initiative forms “the foundation” of the government’s digital policies and reforms aimed at building an inclusive, innovation-driven economy. She highlighted recent milestones in digital and financial inclusion: for example, under the prime minister’s Ramazan support package, 500,000 women were digitally onboarded in one month through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) by opening mobile wallets – a major step toward broadening financial inclusion.

Both sides also discussed concrete tech-sector initiatives. They examined outsourcing and services opportunities, and the recognition and deployment of Pakistan’s home-grown tech talent in UAE and global projects. The talks covered property technology (PropTech) and asset tokenisation use-cases – such as tokenising real estate – that could unlock savings, improve efficiency and boost liquidity in Pakistan’s property and financial sectors. UAE experts praised Pakistan’s skilled youth and improving digital infrastructure, expressing “strong confidence in Pakistan’s vast potential for PropTech, tokenisation and technology-led investment”.

Industry analysts note that this engagement could pave the way for Pakistani firms to leverage specialized blockchain development services in UAE and guidance from Dubai transformation experts with experience in large-scale tech projects. Delegates pointed to a wide range of AI applications – from AI-driven financial products to smart contracts – and even novel areas like Blockchain in Intellectual Property rights management. They discussed practical business questions, for example, whether “AI Software Development Really Cost in Dubai?” – reflecting the real-world budgeting considerations of technology projects. Such topics highlight that Pakistan-UAE cooperation is meant to be grounded in tangible outcomes for both countries’ economies.

Toward a Stronger Tech Partnership

At the conclusion of the meetings, Pakistani ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering global partnerships and innovation. Minister Khawaja emphasized that Islamabad will “create a conducive digital environment to attract international investment and accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation”. Observers say the UAE delegation’s visit underscores the deepening of Pakistan-UAE strategic economic ties. Both sides have pledged to set up working groups and pilot programs in the coming weeks, with the aim of integrating cutting-edge blockchain, AI and tokenisation solutions into Pakistan’s financial sector and beyond.

Sources: Official Finance Ministry statement and press reports provide details of the meetings and commitments made by Pakistani and UAE officials.