Farhan Khan (PID Peshawar)
Indus AI Week 2026 began on 9th February 2026 and will continue for a full week across the country, engaging participants through policy sessions, public exhibitions, training programs, and nationwide activities. Indus AI Week 2026 is not just a technology showcase. It is a national movement to make artificial intelligence understandable, accessible, and useful for everyone in Pakistan.
Launched by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication under the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan Vision, Indus AI Week shifts the focus from high-level discussions about AI to real-life use, real skills, and real opportunities. The idea is simple: AI should not remain limited to experts or policymakers. It should reach students, teachers, startups, government offices, and ordinary citizens across the country.
Pakistan produces more than 25,000 IT graduates every year. Indus AI Week is designed to connect this young talent with global technology leaders, modern tools, and practical learning platforms so they can become part of the fast-growing global AI economy. Instead of waiting for change, the country is preparing its workforce to lead it.
The structure of the week reflects this inclusive approach. Policy and leadership sessions at the Jinnah Convention Center will define how Pakistan plans to govern and regulate AI responsibly. At the same time, the Innovation, Learning and Engagement Arena at the Islamabad Sports Complex will open the doors to the public. Students, families, and professionals will be able to see, touch, and experience AI through demonstrations, competitions, and exhibitions. Universities across all provinces will also hold co-branded events, ensuring that AI Week is not limited to Islamabad but becomes a nationwide experience.
What makes Indus AI Week different is its focus on practical programs. The Uraan AI Techathon and National AI Training Bootcamp aim to equip participants with hands-on skills. AI for Her ensures that women are fully included in the digital future. The GovTech and DefenceTech Showcase highlights how AI can improve governance and national security. The Industry Expo connects skilled youth directly with employers and technology companies.
Creative platforms such as the AI Wrapper Competition, Game Jam, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality and Robotics Showcase, and the Indus eSports Championship show how AI connects with entertainment, design, and innovation. This variety sends a clear message: AI is not just for coders; it is for creators, problem-solvers, and dreamers.
A major force behind this initiative is Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja. She has consistently highlighted that AI must become part of everyday systems in Pakistan, from education and healthcare to governance and business. Her leadership has helped move AI from policy papers into public action.
As she stated, “AI has become the foundational layer of Pakistan’s digital transformation. Through Indus AI Week, we are connecting our talent with the tools and global leaders necessary to build a future-ready digital ecosystem.”
With collaboration between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, the Pakistan Software Export Board, the Pakistan IT Industry Association, Ignite – National Technology Fund, the National Information Technology Board, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Indus AI Week 2026 shows that Pakistan’s AI journey is not about the future alone. It is about the present—about preparing people today to use the technology of tomorrow.
