Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need for collective efforts to face challenges, saying that nations were dependent on each other to achieve such targets.

“No nation can overcome today’s challenges alone and no single country can harness the potential of tomorrow without the support of others,” he said in his address at the plenary session of the eighth edition of the two-day Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Riyadh Deputy Governor Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz and Pakistan’s Ambassador to KSA Ahmed Farooq received PM Shehbaz at the airport in the capital.

Key cabinet members have accompanied him to the kingdom.

This year’s FII is themed ‘Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow’ and will focus on global investments aimed at addressing major issues such as artificial intelligence, robotics, education, energy, space, finance, healthcare, and sustainability.

The premier called for collective global efforts and partnerships to overcome the contemporary challenges while underscoring the importance of a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation in domains of artificial intelligence, education and health,

“Pakistan stands ready to join those who dare to dream big. We invite you to invest, to bring your expertise and creativity to Pakistan, as we build a future, rooted in resilience and shared prosperity,” he said.

The prime minister said that he was elated to share that Pakistan, too, was on a “transformative journey; a journey of resilience, sacrifice, and a relentless pursuit of stability and growth.”

The participating countries at the moot engage in the dialogue for the promotion of investment and a sustainable future while highlighting the strength of their respective economies.

The FII conference featured discussions on artificial intelligence, robotics, education, energy, space, public health, and challenges, confronting sustainable development.

The prime minister went on to add that Pakistan was laying the foundation for a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation in three pivotal domains: artificial intelligence, education, and health.

“AI is more than a trend; it’s a force revolutionising economies, societies, and industries. At this critical juncture, Pakistan is not just embracing AI, we are committed to excelling in it,” he said and added their “mission was clear” and it was to encourage young minds to redefine the boundaries of AI; training skilled engineers and data scientists as the backbone of Pakistan’s AI growth; and equipping their workforce to harness the power of AI across industries.

Along with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and like-minded global partners, the prime minister said Pakistan envisioned AI as a force for good.

He mentioned the support of friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia to restore macroeconomic stability and headed for sustained growth.

“This journey is not just ours, it’s a call to our friends across the world, because together, we are stronger. Together, we can shape a future defined by innovation, prosperity, and success,” PM Shehbaz said.

Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the prime minister said Pakistan shared a common mission to invest in their youth to shape the future.

“In this pursuit, it is not just a responsibility; it is our persistent endeavour to empower our youth with quality education, digital inclusivity, and the cross-cutting tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” he said.

The prime minister further said that Pakistan’s healthcare sector was home to over 275,000 registered doctors with their youth pioneering new health-tech solutions.

With advancements in healthcare standards, he said the country envisioned a future where their doctors and scientists collaborated across borders for a healthier tomorrow.

“Imagine the impact, pooling resources in areas like genome sequencing and personalized medicine. With such collaborations, we can redefine the whole healthcare system,” he added.

PM Shehbaz enumerated that their institutions like King Edward Medical College, National University of Science and Technology, and Aga Khan University held “immense potential” for breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatment and disease prevention.

“Let this be our legacy: a commitment to a vision that transcends borders, embraces boundless potential, and inspires generations to come,” he added.

He also stressed that global human advancement and transformation could not take place unless peace was restored in Gaza and bloodshed stopped.

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The prime minister is expected to meet with leaders and businesspeople attending the FII.

PM Shehbaz will travel to Qatar on Thurssday

Following his KSA visit, PM Shehbaz will travel to Qatar on Thursday to participate in COP29 and further strengthen Pak-Qatar relations.

At the invitation of Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, he would inaugurate an exhibition showcasing Pakistani exports, arts, and culture in Doha. Meetings with the emir and other leaders to discuss investment opportunities in Pakistan are also scheduled.