Lahore is set to become Pakistan’s first smart city, thanks to a collaboration between the Punjab government and Huawei Technologies. This partnership aims to modernize Lahore through technology-driven solutions, improving the quality of life for its residents. Moreover, this project will set a new standard for urban development and innovation.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is spearheading efforts to transform Lahore into Pakistan’s first smart city. During her official visit to China, she met with Huawei Technologies in Shanghai’s Longgang District to discuss this ambitious yet state-of-the-art project.
Maryam invited Huawei to invest in Punjab, particularly in the Nawaz Sharif IT City. She also assured full cooperation for establishing assembly and manufacturing plants. She also proposed setting up retail offices and after-sales service centers to strengthen Huawei’s footprint in the region.
In a meeting with Huawei’s President of Government Affairs, Wang Chengdong, the Chief Minister outlined a comprehensive roadmap for Lahore’s transformation. Key areas of collaboration include e-commerce, ecosystem production, and the digitization of health and education sectors. Wang shared Huawei’s ongoing projects in Pakistan and expressed interest in deeper partnerships to align with Punjab’s digital goals.
Maryam expressed particular interest in Huawei’s initiatives in the health and education sectors, emphasizing their alignment with Punjab’s development objectives. She praised Huawei’s contributions to Lahore’s Safe City project and urged the company to expand its role in creating a secure and modern digital ecosystem.
Highlighting her vision for a “Digital Punjab,” she proposed partnerships for IT research, capacity-building programs, and the establishment of Punjab’s first AI-based university. These initiatives aim to equip the province’s youth with cutting-edge skills, fostering innovation-driven economic growth.
During her visit, Maryam toured Huawei’s facilities, exploring advanced technologies and discussing further collaboration. She stressed the transformative impact of technology on governance and urban development, noting that modernizing Lahore as a smart city would serve as a model for other cities in Pakistan.
The smart city concept focuses on using technology and data to improve urban living standards, enhance efficiency, and boost sustainability. Projects under this initiative are expected to create jobs, attract investments, and drive economic progress.
This collaboration with Huawei marks a significant step toward achieving a tech-driven future for Lahore and setting a benchmark for Pakistan’s urban development.
