Pakistan charts AI roadmap for key development sectors

July 04, 2025 (MLN): To integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) across twelve key sectors in Pakistan, a national roadmap was outlined during a meeting of the National Taskforce on Artificial Intelligence, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal.

Emphasizing the urgency of a clear and coordinated approach, the Minister stated that AI adoption must be aligned with national priorities and executed through cross-sectoral collaboration, not in isolation.

Recognizing global trends, he highlighted the need for Pakistan to act with clarity and purpose in advancing AI capabilities, according to the press release issued.

The Taskforce was mandated to identify twelve priority sectors such as education, health, agriculture, climate, business, and governance where AI can offer measurable national benefits.

Each sector will form a multi-stakeholder working group, including experts from government, academia, and the private sector, to develop targeted AI roadmaps with defined goals, timelines, and resource needs.

To encourage innovation and overcome financial barriers, the Planning Minister directed the creation of a National AI Fund, aimed at supporting high-potential ideas and pilot projects.

Additionally, a nationwide mapping exercise will assess the availability of AI-related talent and resources across universities, research centers, and industry stakeholders for strategic deployment.

The Taskforce was also instructed to organize a national AI workshop in collaboration with PASHA and other industry bodies.

This event will bring together government, academia, and private sector leaders to design practical AI solutions tailored to Pakistan’s development context.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for IT & Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Dr. Yasar Ayaz, Project Director of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence; officials from the Ministry of IT, NADRA, PASHA; and private sector representatives.

Under the Prime Minister’s vision and the leadership of the Planning Minister, Pakistan has already made progress in the AI space.

Initiatives include the establishment of nine Centers of Excellence in areas such as AI, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Robotics, and Quantum Computing, as well as the launch of the Quantum Valley Pakistan initiative to strengthen capabilities in frontier technologies.

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