Punjab’s government is weighing a collaboration with a domestic AI data centre to fast-track its ambitions of becoming a leading technology-driven province in South Asia.

Senior executives from Data Vault Pakistan met Ali Mustafa Dar, adviser to the chief minister on artificial intelligence and special initiatives, to present proposals for joint initiatives. The discussions focused on leveraging sovereign AI infrastructure to support the province’s digital agenda.

The delegation outlined plans to align its data infrastructure capabilities with the government’s objective of expanding artificial intelligence adoption across key sectors. These include governance, healthcare, education, agriculture and public safety.

Officials indicated that such infrastructure could play a central role in accelerating digitisation in Punjab, which has a population exceeding 120m. The proposed partnership is intended to support the province’s broader ambition to position itself as a regional hub for AI-driven development.

Ali Mustafa Dar, recently appointed to a ministerial-level advisory role, has been tasked with promoting innovation-led policies and expanding the use of emerging technologies. His mandate includes driving the implementation of artificial intelligence initiatives across the province.

The discussions reflect a growing emphasis on public-private collaboration in Pakistan’s technology sector, as authorities seek to build domestic capabilities in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.