ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s newly enacted National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy is positioned as a critical driver for future economic growth, with projections suggesting it could boost the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 7 to 12% and generate close to one million new jobs by 2030. The optimistic assessment was shared by Dr. Anil Salman, Chair of the government’s AI Policy Committee, at a major policy seminar.
Policy Vision and Scope
Speaking at a seminar organized by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Dr. Salman characterized the policy as bold, ethical, and transformative, emphasizing its inclusive vision aimed at driving economic, social, and technological advancement.
The discussion, titled “Bridging Gaps in Pakistan’s AI Roadmap: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward,” brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders. The panel included Dr. Najibullah from the Planning Commission, Techvention CEO Suniya Shahid, and Atomcamp CEO Dr. Naveed Iftikhar.
Financing and Infrastructural Hurdles
Dr. Najibullah stressed the immediate need for a robust financial ecosystem, announcing a Rs. 2 billion Public Venture Capital Fund dedicated to backing AI startups. While he highlighted significant opportunities across vital sectors like agriculture, health, and education, he pointed to underlying challenges, including poor data infrastructure, weak payment systems, and substantial cybersecurity risks that must be mitigated.
Industry and Adoption Gaps
From the industry perspective, Suniya Shahid called for swift AI adoption in healthcare, ethical audits, targeted funding for women-led startups, and retraining programs to prepare the workforce for the shift. She issued a stern warning that a lack of local data would be a major impediment to the effective, custom application of AI within Pakistan.
Joining the panel remotely, Dr. Naveed Iftikhar highlighted a critical issue: the persistent gap between policy formulation and practical adoption. He argued that Pakistan must accelerate AI integration within government offices, universities, and industries, alongside a concentrated effort to upskill civil servants and academics. Strategic partnerships with international players, including Saudi Arabia, China, and global data centers, he suggested, could be crucial to overcoming existing infrastructural limitations.
Measuring Success and Mitigating Risk
PIDE’s Dr. Nasir Iqbal emphasized that the ultimate success of the policy should be measured not by its scope, but by its tangible impact on productivity, inclusivity, and national competitiveness. He cautioned that if not managed ethically, AI implementation carries the risk of widening social inequality or promoting monopolies. To ensure growth reaches the grassroots level, he proposed critical reforms, such as faster business registration processes and the creation of village economic zones to empower rural communities.
The seminar concluded with a consensus that the new AI policy sets the right direction for the country’s technological future. However, participants unanimously agreed that its ambitious goals will depend heavily on a sustained, long-term commitment and unwavering cooperation among the government, private industry, academia, and international partners.
