Signaling a decisive shift towards a technology-driven future, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a billion-dollar investment in artificial intelligence by 2030, unveiling broad education, research and skills initiatives aimed at building a national AI ecosystem and preparing Pakistan’s youth for leadership roles in the digital economy. Addressing the opening ceremony of Indus AI Week in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said the investment would strengthen Pakistan’s AI landscape and help young people transition from IT technicians to AI experts, describing the event as a potential one. "game changer" for the country’s technology sector. He announced that AI curriculum would be introduced in all federal schools, as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and most parts of Balochistan. He also revealed plans to create 1,000 fully-funded AI PhD scholarships by 2030 to develop world-class research capacity. Additionally, the government will launch a national program to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills to boost productivity and improve livelihoods, as part of efforts to build a future-ready digital economy and empower young Pakistanis.
"Pakistan is absolutely ready to take up the challenge and work with our global partners, with great commitment and dedication," Shehbaz said, adding that AI interventions would focus on priority sectors including agriculture, mining and minerals, industry, commerce and youth empowerment. With a population of around 240 million, almost 60% of whom are young, he highlighted the urgency of equipping the next generation with modern knowledge and techniques, assuring IT professionals that government programs would help them move into advanced roles in AI. He said the adoption of AI could enable unprecedented gains in agricultural yield, quality and efficiency, alongside industrial growth and women’s empowerment, while highlighting ongoing digital reforms as proof of Pakistan’s preparedness. Citing examples, he discussed digitalization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), improving revenue collection through data-driven systems and use of modern scanners and digital instruments at ports to combat smuggling.
"We recover lost income through technology and provide quality training to our young men and women in the fields of agriculture, commerce and trade," he said. Recalling earlier initiatives under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister said the current AI push builds on past reforms, including distribution of laptops for high-performing students in Punjab, e-libraries in remote areas, e-stamp papers and digitization of land records in partnership with the World Bank to fight corruption. He also noted that Pakistan’s first Safe City project and IT University were established in Lahore, saying lessons learned from these efforts helped shape today’s digital ambitions. On the occasion, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that Indus AI Week aims to strengthen coordination between academia, governments and international businesses, thereby underlining Pakistan’s commitment to a digital revolution. She added that the Pakistan Digital Authority was preparing a nationwide digital master plan, noting that this year marks the first anniversary of the implementation of the National AI Policy launched in September 2025. (COURTESY APP COMMISSION)
