Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held separate meetings with representatives of the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) and Sky 47 to discuss the establishment of sovereign cloud infrastructure, secure data exchange and an artificial intelligence-based trade system.

During the meetings, the minister stressed that Pakistan’s trade data is a valuable national asset and its protection and effective utilisation are essential. He called for integrating data from the Ministry of Commerce, its attached departments, chambers of commerce and trade officers posted in more than 55 countries to create a comprehensive trade intelligence ecosystem.

Jam Kamal Khan directed that artificial intelligence should be used to identify emerging trade trends, export opportunities and potential new international markets. The Pakistan Digital Authority briefed the minister on data governance, secure data exchange and the National Digital Master Plan, while Sky 47 provided details on data centres, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and sovereign cloud services.

The minister emphasised increasing the capacity of local data centres to ensure that critical national data remains securely stored within Pakistan. He also called for developing a modern, transparent and fast cloud procurement system for government institutions and discussed establishing an Open Network for Digital Commerce tailored to Pakistan’s requirements.

The use of foreign public AI platforms for confidential government affairs was described as a matter of concern. Jam Kamal Khan directed the preparation of practical proposals for secure data integration, sovereign cloud infrastructure and AI-based trade intelligence, aimed at improving the country’s ability to analyse trade data, identify opportunities and support evidence-based decision-making.