At CAREC meet Pakistan proposes AI-led digitalisation of border processes

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has called for harmonising customs regulations and using artificial intelligence to digitalise border processes across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) region.

During the CAREC Ministerial Conference, Iqbal, while speaking to the media, said the region must move from discussing connectivity to delivering practical trade corridors.

He stressed the need to harmonise customs regulations, digitalise border processes and remove delays that slow the movement of cargo.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s proposal for a CAREC Digital Corridor and the use of AI to make trade and connectivity faster, smarter and more productive.

CAREC corridors to connect Central Asia with global markets, says Ahsan Iqbal

With its strategic location linking Central Asia, South Asia, China and the Arabian Sea, Pakistan is ready to use geo-economics to advance cooperation, create jobs and promote shared prosperity across the region, he said.

The minister also stressed that the future of regional prosperity depends on how effectively countries work together, create common platforms and open new pathways for investment.

He emphasised that governments alone cannot build the scale of connectivity the region needs.

“By enabling the private sector and strengthening public-private partnerships, CAREC countries can accelerate investment in roads, railways, infrastructure and digital networks.”

The minister shared that Pakistan’s focus, as it prepares to host the next CAREC Conference in 2027, would be to advance practical cooperation that connects economies, facilitates trade and turns regional geography into shared opportunity.