Islamabad: Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, has said that Pakistan is studying the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) digital governance model as part of its broader reform agenda to modernise public sector finance and improve institutional efficiency.
Kayani is leading a high-level Pakistani delegation to the UAE to participate in a two-day experience exchange programme focused on public sector innovation and governance. The visit is part of Pakistan’s efforts to learn from best practices in fiscal management, digital transformation, and public administration.
During a bilateral meeting held on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, Minister Kayani met with UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, also attended the meeting.
The discussions centred on public finance reforms, budgeting frameworks, tax policy, and oversight mechanisms. Both sides shared experiences and insights into the challenges and opportunities of public sector financial governance, highlighting their respective efforts to streamline government operations and enhance fiscal transparency.
Kayani thanked the UAE government for its continued financial support to Pakistan, noting that it had contributed significantly to economic stability during a challenging period.
The visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 16, 2025, between Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. The MoU provides a structured platform for bilateral cooperation on governance, innovation, and institutional capacity-building.
Officials said the Pakistani delegation would also attend technical briefings and field visits to observe UAE’s digital infrastructure in areas such as budgeting automation, tax administration, and citizen service delivery.
The UAE has emerged as a regional leader in e-governance and digital transformation, ranking among the top countries in digital public services. Pakistan aims to replicate some of these models to improve efficiency, transparency, and public sector performance back home.
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The delegation’s visit is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration in reforming Pakistan’s fiscal systems and introducing technology-led governance tools in key ministries.
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