By Junaid Qaiser
Pakistan has taken a decisive step toward the future. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement of a planned $1 billion investment in artificial intelligence by 2030 signals that the country no longer wishes to remain on the margins of the global technology shift. In a world where data and innovation increasingly define economic strength, Pakistan’s entry into the AI race is both timely and necessary.
The launch of Indus AI Week in Islamabad reflects this growing sense of urgency. By bringing together policymakers, universities, startups and international technology companies, the initiative aims to create a national ecosystem where ideas can translate into skills and investment. For a country that has often struggled to connect policy with practice, this coordinated approach offers a hopeful starting point.
At the heart of the government’s vision is human capital. The plan to introduce AI education across federally run schools — extending to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and underserved parts of Balochistan — acknowledges that the digital divide must be addressed early. The promise of 1,000 fully funded PhD scholarships in AI and a nationwide programme to train one million non-IT professionals further underscores a commitment to building depth, not just visibility, in advanced technologies.
This focus could prove transformative for Pakistan’s young population, nearly 60 per cent of whom are under the age of 30. For them, AI represents more than a technological trend; it offers a pathway to better jobs, higher productivity and global relevance. By prioritising sectors such as agriculture, minerals, industry and women’s empowerment, the government has also placed AI within Pakistan’s development realities, rather than treating it as an abstract or elite pursuit.
The current push draws on lessons from earlier digital reforms. Initiatives such as e-libraries, laptop distribution, e-stamp papers and the computerisation of land records showed how technology could improve service delivery and curb corruption when backed by political will. More recent efforts, including the digitalisation of the Federal Board of Revenue and modern scanning systems at ports, demonstrate how data-driven tools can strengthen governance and recover lost revenues.
Still, stepping into the AI race brings its own challenges. Pakistan’s National AI Policy, approved last year, has yet to move beyond its initial awareness phase, highlighting the familiar gap between ambition and execution. AI development requires more than funding announcements; it depends on institutional coordination, ethical safeguards, reliable infrastructure and sustained engagement with provinces and the private sector.
Globally, governments are investing heavily in artificial intelligence as a driver of competitiveness and growth. Pakistan’s proposed investment may be smaller in scale, but success will depend less on size and more on consistency, focus and inclusion. If policies are implemented with discipline and programmes reach beyond major cities, Pakistan can still build a meaningful presence in the evolving AI landscape.
For now, the significance lies in intent. By stepping into the AI race, Pakistan has signalled confidence in its people and its potential. The task ahead is to ensure that this step becomes a steady stride — one that equips the next generation with the skills and opportunities needed to compete, innovate and lead in a digital world.
