Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz during her visit to China announced a partnership with Huawei Technologies to transform Lahore into Pakistan’s first modern smart city.

The initiative is set to leverage cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance urban living and infrastructure.

Maryam Nawaz was warmly received at Huawei’s Longgang District headquarters in Shanghai, where she extended an invitation to Huawei for increased investment in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab.

She proposed the establishment of a Huawei office at Nawaz Sharif IT City and assured full cooperation for setting up assembly and manufacturing plants in the province.

The CM also offered Huawei the opportunity to establish retail offices and after-sales service centers across Punjab.

Focus on Digital Transformation and AI University

During a meeting with Wang Chengdong, Huawei's President of Government Affairs, CM Maryam Nawaz discussed strategies to modernize Lahore as a digital city. Key areas of focus included e-commerce, ecosystem production, and the digitalization of health and education sectors. The CM emphasized the need to integrate Huawei's expertise into Punjab's first Artificial Intelligence University and sought support in capacity building and IT research at Nawaz Sharif IT City.

The discussions also included Huawei’s role in familiarizing Punjab's youth with modern digital technologies and supporting ecosystem development in the province. Notably, the first Safe City project in Lahore was established with Huawei’s collaboration, highlighting the company's longstanding contributions to Punjab.

Huawei’s Commitment to Punjab

Wang Chengdong provided a detailed briefing on Huawei's ongoing projects in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, and expressed a keen interest in further strengthening the partnership. He outlined Huawei’s capabilities in telecommunications, electronics, and digitalization, which align with Punjab's vision for a "Digital Punjab."

The visit concluded with CM Maryam Nawaz touring Huawei’s various departments and manufacturing facilities. She reaffirmed the province’s commitment to leveraging Huawei's expertise for technological advancements and fostering economic growth through digital innovation.

This landmark collaboration is poised to revolutionize urban living standards in Lahore, setting a benchmark for smart city development in Pakistan.