STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The National School of Public Policy (NSPP) held its 3rd annual Public Policy Conference on “Artificial Intelligence in Public Policy and Governance”, on 25-26th August, 2025 in Lahore. The conference brought together leading scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and experts to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance, policy-making, and public administration. The Information Technology University (ITU) and the Shahid Javed Burki Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) collaborated with NSPP for this conference. The first day of the conference covered a wide range of topics which included governance and regulation of AI alongwith its role and far-reaching impact on the sectors of socio-economic development, environmental sustainability and public sector transformation. The conference highlighted the importance of integrating AI in public administration whilst navigating through complex challenges related to governance, ethics, transparency, equity and accountability. Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning & Development was the chief guest in the inaugural session whilst Mr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination was chief of honour and keynote speaker. The conference was attended by Dr. Muhammad Jamil Afaqi, Rector, NSPP; Dr. Naveed Elahi, Dean, National Institute of Pubic Policy (NIPP), NSPP; Dr. Saeed Shafqat, Founding Director, Center for Public Police and Governance, FCCU; Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh, DG, Environment Protection Department, Punjab; Dr. Shujat Ali, Former Federal Secretary; Dr. Safdar A. Sohail, Former Federal Secretary; Dr. Abiha Zahra, Chairperson, Department of Governance and Global Studies, ITU; Mr. Mujib-ur-Rahman, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Pakistan; Hafeez Ullah Niazi, analyst and journalist; Dr Saeed Elahi, former Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Mobeen-ud-Din Qazi, advocate. Researchers, scholars and officers from different federal and provincial departments also attended the conference. Dr. Naveed Elahi, Dean NIPP welcomed the chief guest, participants and audience and officially launched the conference. He emphasized the importance of AI as technology is rapidly reshaping the way governments serve their people. He stated that the aim of this conference is to bring along diverse perspectives and actionable insights that will guide us toward building inclusive and ethical AI-driven public institutions. In his welcome address, Dr. Muhammad Jamil Afaqi, Rector, NSPP stated that NSPP is committed to shape public leaders’ traditional governance skill and to equip them with the emerging challenges of the AI world. Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning & Development gave an overview of the initiatives the government has already taken such as the establishment of National Centre of Artificial Intelligence, National Centre for Automation and Robotics, launch of National AI Policy etc. which will guide Pakistan’s transition into the AI era. He emphasized the importance of AI in transforming public sector and elaborated on the ways AI can help URAAN Pakistan initiative. He said that NSPP and other training institutes should establish AI training centres to equip civil service with AI skills. He said that by integrating the wisdom of civil service with AI, Pakistan can become USD 1 trillion economy. Mr. Musadik Masood Malik, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination stated that as the crisis of climate change escalates, we need to invest in technology to build resilient systems. In this regard, using AI agents in earth intelligence which can help monitor seasonal changes, bio-resilience through genetic engineering, in building climate safe infrastructure and community and governance, we can help creating a sustainable and climate resilient country
