Pakistan has introduced an ambitious National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy aimed at transforming the country into a major AI hub with a projected $2.7 billion domestic AI market within five years. The policy focuses on six key pillars — innovation, skills development, ethical and secure AI use, sectoral transformation, infrastructure, and global partnerships — marking a major leap in Pakistan’s digital agenda.
The policy envisions the establishment of an AI Directorate to oversee national AI ethics, governance, and cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring transparency, accountability, and public awareness through an AI systems register. A National AI Fund (NAIF), managed under the Ignite Technology Fund, will allocate 30% of its R&D resources to support AI startups, research, and commercialization through Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across major cities.
A significant workforce development plan includes training 200,000 individuals annually, offering 3,000 postgraduate scholarships, and creating 20,000 AI internships each year. Special programs will be dedicated to empowering women and persons with disabilities through inclusive AI education and opportunities.
The policy also aims to integrate AI across key sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and energy, while promoting industrial digitization through tax incentives and training programs. A nationwide AI infrastructure will provide computing resources to over 100 universities and research institutions, supported by upgraded data centers and public cloud access.
On the international front, Pakistan will seek bilateral partnerships with AI-leading nations such as the United States, participate in global AI forums, and align its AI regulations with international standards to attract foreign investment and knowledge exchange.
Through these measures, Pakistan aims to accelerate economic growth, strengthen digital governance, and position itself as a regional leader in responsible and innovative AI development.
