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By Sabeeh Zanair :
The Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the DFINITY Foundation to develop sovereign, artificial intelligence–ready digital infrastructure aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s technological independence.
Under a newly signed memorandum of understanding, both organisations will collaborate on building secure digital systems that ensure sensitive national data remains within Pakistan while supporting modern, AI-powered applications.
The agreement was formalised in Islamabad and Zurich and includes plans to establish a dedicated “Pakistan Subnet” on DFINITY’s Internet Computer Platform. This sovereign cloud environment will enable Pakistan to host national-scale digital services and tamper-resistant software without relying on foreign cloud providers.
As part of the initiative, the partners will pilot a National Messenger platform designed to offer private and verifiable communication channels for public sector use. The collaboration will also provide 1,500 licences for Caffeine, DFINITY’s AI-powered development platform, to support innovation across government departments, universities, startups, and entrepreneurs.
DFINITY will set up a local operational presence in Pakistan to ensure long-term technical cooperation, training, and capacity-building.
Dr Sohail Munir, Chairperson of the Pakistan Digital Authority, said the partnership reflects Pakistan’s commitment to building secure and future-ready digital systems. He noted that sovereign cloud infrastructure will not only protect national data but also accelerate innovation across public institutions and the private sector.
Dominic Williams, Founder and Chief Scientist of DFINITY and Caffeine, described Pakistan’s approach as forward-looking. He said the Pakistan Subnet would allow the country to develop and manage its own secure software and AI services aligned with national priorities, without external control or dependency.
Caffeine enables users to create and deploy applications using natural language, reducing the need for large engineering teams and complex coding. Since its launch, the platform has seen rapid adoption worldwide, with millions of AI-driven build requests processed in its early months.
DFINITY is the organisation behind the Internet Computer, a decentralised platform that provides a sovereign alternative to traditional cloud services. It allows governments and institutions to operate tamper-proof digital systems with full ownership and resilience.
The foundation has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in advanced research and employs experts formerly associated with major global technology firms. Its research work spans distributed systems, cryptography, and next-generation computing technologies.
The Pakistan Digital Authority, established under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, is responsible for leading the country’s digital transformation. It oversees national digital infrastructure, data and AI governance, and shared government platforms to ensure secure, interoperable, and future-oriented public services.
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