ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s recently approved National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025 has been welcomed by IT experts and industry stakeholders as a game-changing roadmap that could reshape the country’s economic future, create millions of jobs, and elevate tech exports to new heights.
The policy, greenlit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a federal cabinet meeting, aims to establish a full-fledged AI ecosystem in Pakistan, focusing on innovation, education, public service reform, and export-led growth. It outlines bold targets including training 1 million AI professionals by 2030, launching 50,000 civic AI projects, creating 1,000 indigenous AI products, and distributing 3,000 scholarships annually.
🚀 “A new era of opportunity”
IT industry experts say the policy has the potential to unlock unprecedented opportunities. “It could attract both local and foreign investment, boost high-tech exports, and create employment for thousands,” said Mehwish Salman Ali, Member of the AI Committee at P@SHA.
She emphasized the need for strong collaboration between universities, IT companies, and international institutions to train human resources for the AI-driven economy. “We need 10,000 qualified trainers and at least 1 million skilled graduates over the next two years,” she said.
She also urged the government to pursue strategic alliances with advanced and emerging economies, especially the Gulf states, for AI project collaborations and enhanced trade ties.
🎓 Education, innovation, inclusion
Experts believe Pakistan must prioritize education reforms and support AI innovation centers in major cities to help professionals generate new ideas and upskill themselves. The AI policy also stresses inclusive education, targeting women and differently-abled individuals through accessible financing and educational support.
A national AI council and detailed master plan will oversee implementation, while proposed AI Venture and Innovation Funds will encourage private sector involvement.
📈 Towards $10 billion in IT exports
Muhammad Umair Nizam, Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, termed the policy a long-overdue milestone. “It’s a much-needed strategy to help Pakistan reach $10 billion in IT exports by FY2029,” he said.
However, he emphasized the need for basic infrastructure like high-speed internet, affordable devices, reliable electricity, and co-working spaces to support AI development across the country.
He also highlighted the need for public awareness, noting that Pakistan not only needs AI developers, but also ethical and informed users.
⏳ “Vision must translate into speed”
Dr. Noman Said, CEO of SI Global Solutions, welcomed the policy but stressed that its success lies in execution. “Pakistan’s past tech policies were often delayed or diluted. The real challenge is not writing a policy but turning it into action,” he said.
Dr. Noman warned that while AI is evolving globally every 6–12 months, Pakistan’s roadmap extends to 2028. “We must move at the speed of innovation, not the pace of bureaucracy,” he said, urging quick wins to build credibility.
He recommended empowering startups and SMEs through regulatory sandboxes, tax breaks, and access to public datasets, while ensuring AI institutions are run by experts, not bogged down in red tape.
He added that if Pakistan doesn’t actively participate in global AI alliances now, it risks becoming “a data consumer rather than a contributor.”
