Govt to speed up AI adoption through national initiative

October 27, 2026 (MLN): The government is rolling out a national AI ecosystem spanning infrastructure, human capital, research, startups, financing and responsible AI governance, with $1bn in investment earmarked for the sector by 2030.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the House during Question Hour that the National Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Development Programme is among the government’s most significant upcoming interventions for AI development, according to a press release issued.

He said the government is also implementing the National AI Advancement Initiative to speed up AI adoption and build practical capacity in the field.

Replying to a supplementary question, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has joined the World AI Cooperation Organization, a China-led body that seeks to promote transparency, openness and cooperation in artificial intelligence.

He said about 50 members have joined so far, Pakistan has signed the founding document, the organization will be headquartered in Shanghai, and its first council meeting is expected in mid-December.

Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari said the government will soon introduce a system for providing targeted subsidies to power consumers.

He added that there is also a plan to raise the threshold for protected consumers to 250 units. He said circular debt has come down to around Rs1.6tr over the past two and a half years.

On a point of order, Dr Chaudhry assured the House that efforts are under way to reopen the Sunday Bazaar at Peshawar Mor in Islamabad soon.

He said consultations with the Islamabad administration are continuing so that consumers can keep buying essential commodities at lower rates. The bazaars were set up so that growers could sell their produce directly to consumers at affordable prices, he added.

The House will meet again on Thursday at 3pm.

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