Pakistan’s federal cabinet has instructed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) to prioritise the creation of commercial artificial intelligence (AI) applications for ministries and divisions rather than developing overarching AI platforms. This directive follows the cabinet’s approval of the National AI Policy 2025 in July, which establishes guidelines for AI deployment across multiple sectors. Cabinet members commended MoITT’s efforts in preparing the policy and proposed measures to ensure it aligns with the country’s social and national context. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that AI adoption, while challenging, is essential for progress and described the policy as an important milestone in advancing technological capabilities.
Under the new guidance, MoITT is required to channel its efforts into producing AI-driven applications that directly serve government departments, rather than focusing resources on building platform-level technologies. Officials at the meeting also raised concerns about potential job losses arising from AI adoption and highlighted the need for comprehensive reskilling programmes. Universities have been encouraged to expand the number of AI graduates, while AI education is planned to be introduced at the school level to familiarise younger generations with the technology early on. The cabinet underscored the importance of ensuring AI benefits reach all segments of society to prevent the creation of a rural-urban divide in access to technology.
MoITT has also been tasked, in collaboration with the Finance and Planning Divisions, to allocate necessary resources for achieving the policy’s objectives. Priority is to be given to implementing the Cloud Policy, recognising its role in enabling AI deployment and data-driven decision-making across government operations. During the briefing to the cabinet, MoITT outlined the IT sector’s contribution to economic growth, pointing to its consistent innovation and double-digit export expansion. Emerging technologies, including AI, were presented as strategically important, with significant potential applications in agriculture, logistics, smart cities, manufacturing, energy, and healthcare. This approach aims to integrate AI into key economic sectors where it can deliver measurable impact.
The cabinet was also informed that the global AI market is projected to surpass $1.8 trillion by 2030, underscoring the urgency for Pakistan to adopt a comprehensive and actionable approach. MoITT shared that the National AI Policy draft was developed through an inclusive process involving ministries, public sector organisations, provincial governments, and the private sector. Public consultations were also held to incorporate wider feedback. The draft is structured around six pillars—AI Innovation Ecosystem, Awareness and Readiness, Secure AI Ecosystem, Transformation and Evolution, AI Infrastructure, and International Partnerships—each aimed at building a cohesive national framework for AI adoption. These elements, combined with cabinet guidance, are expected to shape Pakistan’s AI landscape in a way that addresses both opportunities and challenges across the public sector.
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