New AI center at GIFT University marks a major milestone in bilateral cooperation on technology, innovation, trade and higher education.
GUJRANWALA, July 6: Pakistan and Kazakhstan have taken a significant step towards strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) with the inauguration of the first Kazakhstan–Pakistan Artificial Intelligence Center at GIFT University in Gujranwala.The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, who also witnessed the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement aimed at promoting collaboration in AI, research and innovation.
The establishment of the AI Center is the outcome of agreements reached during the business forum held on the sidelines of the state visit of Kazakhstan’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to Islamabad in February 2026.Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Muhammad Anwar Dar, Founder and Chairman of GIFT University, and Ahmad Ikram Lone, Chairman of the Gujranwala Business Alliance and the project’s initiator, thanked the Kazakh side for its support and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding partnerships with Kazakhstan in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.Nurgozha Kaliaskarov, Head of the Kazakh technology company NSART, highlighted the importance of the initiative and expressed his commitment to ensuring the Center becomes a dynamic platform for meaningful research, innovation and practical collaboration.
Ambassador Kistafin congratulated the participants on the launch of the Center, emphasizing that the leadership of both Kazakhstan and Pakistan considers cooperation in artificial intelligence a strategic priority for the future.During his visit, the ambassador also met members of the Gujranwala business community and visited the headquarters of the Gujranwala Business Alliance as well as the newly established Gujranwala Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Discussions focused on enhancing business-to-business cooperation, expanding trade and investment opportunities, and strengthening academic partnerships between the two countries.The two sides also agreed to organize a future visit to Kazakhstan by a delegation comprising representatives from Gujranwala’s business and academic sectors to further advance bilateral cooperation.
