ISLAMABAD IMTISAL BUKHARI
The Federal Cabinet has officially approved the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025, marking a historic milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey. The policy outlines a visionary roadmap designed to responsibly harness the power of AI to drive socio-economic development, digital sovereignty, and global competitiveness.
The National AI Policy is structured around six key pillars to ensure the ethical, inclusive, and innovative adoption of artificial intelligence across the country:
1. Establishing a Robust AI Innovation Ecosystem
The policy calls for the creation of a National AI Fund (NAIF), the establishment of AI Centres of Excellence in seven major cities, and targeted funding for research, development, and commercialization.
2. Awareness and Preparedness
This pillar focuses on large-scale human resource development, including:
- Training 200,000 individuals annually
- Awarding 3,000 scholarships
- Offering 20,000 paid internships
- Promoting AI literacy across society, especially among marginalized communities
3. Ensuring a Secure AI Ecosystem
This involves the development of regulatory sandboxes, cybersecurity protocols, and transparency frameworks to promote ethical AI use, protect data, and build public trust.
4. Transformation Across Key Sectors
AI will be applied to critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and governance. The government will introduce sector-specific roadmaps, enhance employee skills, and implement performance evaluation systems.
5. AI Infrastructure Development
The policy outlines the creation of a National Compute Grid, centralized datasets, AI hubs, and cloud-based resources to foster large-scale innovation.
6. International Collaboration
To align with global standards, the policy promotes joint research, cross-border projects, and international partnerships to keep Pakistan at the forefront of the global AI movement.
The approval of this policy reflects Pakistan’s commitment to building a future where AI is not only safe and fair but also globally integrated and locally empowering.
Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja’s Statement
Federal Minister for IT and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, hailed the approval as a “digital revolution.”
“I extend heartfelt congratulations to all Pakistanis, especially our youth. The Cabinet’s approval of the National AI Policy is more than just a technology initiative — it’s a foundation for progress, prosperity, and national autonomy. I thank the Prime Minister, Federal Cabinet, and the Whole of Government approach for turning this vision into reality. Special appreciation goes to the Pakistan Armed Forces, SIFC, and all stakeholders for their tireless efforts. This isn’t just a policy — it’s the blueprint for Pakistan’s digital future.”
The National AI Policy 2025 is expected to set the stage for transformative growth, enabling Pakistan to embrace innovation while ensuring equity and sustainability in its digital future.
