Editorial
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s economic and technological partnership with Saudi Arabia received renewed impetus during high-level discussions at the AlUla Conference 2026 for Emerging Market Economies in Saudi Arabia. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met with Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim to explore avenues for investment, trade, and technological collaboration.
The talks highlighted Pakistan’s growing reputation as a hub of high-quality artificial intelligence and technology talent, ranked among the top globally. The Saudi minister emphasised the Kingdom’s keen interest in leveraging this talent to drive its ongoing technological transformation, echoing endorsements by global tech leaders, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.
Minister Aurangzeb underlined Pakistan’s plans to develop a structured pipeline of skilled professionals for international markets, including Saudi Arabia, promising mutual economic benefits. The discussion also touched upon progress on the GCC Free Trade Agreement and efforts to expand trade and bilateral exchanges. Pakistan assured that dedicated teams are actively working to finalise Saudi Arabia’s investment commitments, signalling a clear roadmap for long-term collaboration.
Simultaneously, the World Bank Group reaffirmed its $20 billion, ten-year development programme for Pakistan, with Managing Director Anna Bjerde highlighting sustained engagement and effective implementation as key to maximising developmental impact. The meeting reviewed the progress under the Country Partnership Framework and explored further strengthening development cooperation.
These discussions underscore Pakistan’s proactive engagement with strategic partners to attract investment, enhance trade, and leverage technological expertise. By combining foreign capital, skilled talent, and global developmental support, Islamabad is positioning itself for sustainable growth and deeper integration into regional and international economic frameworks.
