Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a strategic collaboration with Huawei Technologies to transform Lahore into Pakistan’s first advanced smart city. The announcement was made during her visit to Huawei’s headquarters in Shanghai’s Longgang District, where she was warmly received by company representatives.
Maryam urged Huawei to invest in Punjab’s digital development, particularly in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. She assured the company’s executives of full government support for establishing manufacturing and assembly plants, as well as retail offices and after-sales service centers, to strengthen their presence in the region.
In her meeting with Huawei’s President for Government Affairs, Wang Chengdong, Maryam discussed a comprehensive roadmap for modernizing Lahore. Key topics included enhancing e-commerce, improving ecosystem production, and digitizing the health and education sectors.
Huawei highlighted its existing projects in Pakistan and expressed interest in deeper collaboration. The CM praised Huawei’s role in Lahore’s Safe City project and proposed their expanded involvement in creating a secure, technology-driven urban ecosystem. She also encouraged Huawei to support initiatives like capacity-building programs, IT research, and the development of Punjab’s first AI-based university.
The proposed transformation aims to equip Punjab’s youth with advanced digital skills, fostering innovation-led growth and boosting the province’s economy. Maryam emphasized the vital role of technology in governance and urban development, underlining her vision of a “Digital Punjab” as a model for the country.
Concluding her visit, Maryam toured Huawei’s facilities, exploring their technological advancements and discussing future collaboration opportunities. She reiterated her commitment to innovation, noting that Lahore’s transformation into a smart city will set a benchmark for other Pakistani cities, improving living standards and driving economic growth.
