Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has welcomed Meta’s initiative to train 1,000 Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digital business and artificial intelligence (AI), while inviting the technology company to play a broader role in Pakistan’s digital economy.
The minister made the remarks during a meeting with a Meta delegation led by Tehara Punchihewa, Asia-Pacific Public Policy, and Vivian Liang, Policy Programs Manager for the Asia-Pacific region.
During the meeting, the delegation outlined Meta’s Small Business Growth Academy, which will train 1,000 SMEs across Pakistan between August and November 2026 on the use of Meta’s digital platforms, AI-powered business tools and online marketing strategies.
The programme will be implemented nationwide by local technology partner AtomCamp, with participation offered free of charge.
According to Meta, the initiative aims to strengthen digital skills, expand market access and support women entrepreneurs and businesses in smaller cities through a combination of in-person and online training sessions.
Welcoming the programme, Jam Kamal Khan said the government has placed digital transformation at the centre of its reform agenda, with digitisation being pursued across ministries and public institutions to improve governance, public service delivery and economic competitiveness.
The minister also informed the delegation that Pakistan is finalising a National E-Commerce Policy, while work is underway on a broader Artificial Intelligence Policy to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-driven economic growth.
He said artificial intelligence should be viewed not only as a conversational tool but also as a technology capable of strengthening policy analysis, supporting data-driven decision-making, enhancing business intelligence and improving public sector efficiency.