Pakistan Gears Up for AI Future with First National Policy and Startup Fund.

Pakistan is set to enter a transformative era as it prepares to launch its first national Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. Finalized after months of local and global consultation, the policy aims to embed AI into the country’s economic and social fabric. At a seminar hosted by Quaid-i-Azam University, Federal IT and Telecommunication Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that the long-anticipated policy is "likely to be approved soon." She emphasized the shift from planning to execution, stating, “Our main focus now is on putting the policy into action.” The minister encouraged public participation and urged professionals to offer feedback on six foundational pillars of the policy: Innovation, Awareness, Infrastructure, AI Ethics and Safety, Sectoral Transformation, and Global Cooperation. To ensure inclusivity and transparency, feedback is being welcomed via social media and email. A Call for Unity and Gender Inclusion Highlighting the importance of collective effort, Shaza Fatima urged all segments of society to work together and move beyond narrow thinking. She also stressed gender inclusion, asserting that “women’s inclusion is not optional—it’s necessary for growth.” She pointed to achievements in youth skill development, noting that over 350,000 individuals have been trained through partnerships with PSEB, Ignite, NAVTTC, HEC, and global tech giants like Google, Huawei, and Microsoft. “Our goal is to ensure that every IT graduate either secures a job or starts a business,” she added. International Cooperation and Record Investments Pakistan’s growing role in the global digital economy was underscored by the country’s first Digital FDI Forum, supported by Saudi Arabia’s Digital Cooperation Organization. With participation from 45 nations, the forum resulted in over $700 million in MoUs—the largest digital investment in Pakistan’s history. The minister urged local startups and innovation hubs to embrace international collaboration, adding, “If you are ready to collaborate, the funding is available.” Launch of Pakistan Startup Fund In a key announcement, she revealed the Pakistan Startup Fund, focused on AI-driven ventures. “This will be one of the largest government-backed platforms for research, product development, and innovation,” she stated. Shaza Fatima concluded by affirming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision to position Pakistan as a rising digital power across all sectors.