TLDR: Pakistan has extended an invitation to Meta for collaboration on critical areas including artificial intelligence ethics, digital safety, and e-commerce standards. This initiative is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to accelerate its digital economy, aiming for a $20 billion e-commerce market by 2030, and to integrate AI governance into its national trade policy. Meta has expressed interest in expanding cooperation in AI-driven innovation and skills development.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has formally invited social media giant Meta to forge a strategic partnership across several key digital domains, including artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, digital safety, and e-commerce standards. The invitation was extended during a meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, and Rafael Frankel, Meta’s Director for Public Policy (South Asia), in Islamabad.
This collaborative push aligns with the Pakistani government’s ambitious agenda to significantly expand its digital economy and embed robust AI governance frameworks within its national trade policy. Minister Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s burgeoning digital landscape, stating, “Pakistan’s digital economy is among the fastest-growing in South Asia, powered by a youthful population, growing connectivity and a strong IT talent base.” He further elaborated on the government’s efforts to finalize a National E-Commerce Policy, which aims to propel the e-commerce market to an impressive $20 billion by 2030.
During the discussions, Minister Khan specifically urged Meta to engage through the Ministry’s IT Sectoral Council on areas such as AI ethics, digital safety, and e-commerce standards. He also proposed Meta’s partnership in youth-focused AI skilling programs and the exploration of a Meta-Pakistan E-Commerce Accelerator Pilot, designed to foster digital entrepreneurship across the nation.
Pakistan’s digital sector has demonstrated robust growth, with IT and IT-enabled services exports recording an 18% increase in the last fiscal year, reaching $3.8 billion. This upward trend continued into the first quarter of FY2026, showing a further year-on-year growth of 21%.
The Meta delegation, led by Rafael Frankel, acknowledged Pakistan’s strides in digital transformation. According to an official statement, Meta expressed keen interest in expanding its cooperation in “AI-driven innovation, skills development and SME support.” Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has already been active in South Asia, implementing programs that support small businesses and promote digital literacy. Both parties concluded the meeting by agreeing to maintain close collaboration to advance innovation, ensure safe online practices, and empower economic growth through technology.
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This initiative underscores Pakistan’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies and international partnerships to drive its digital future and ensure responsible technological development.
