Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has announced Indus AI Week 2026, a nationwide initiative under the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision aimed at building a future-ready economy. Scheduled from February 9 to February 15, 2026, the week-long event will culminate in a flagship summit at Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad. Indus AI Week is designed to bring together policymakers, global tech companies, academia, and the country’s emerging startup community to showcase Pakistan’s potential as a competitive player in the global Artificial Intelligence ecosystem.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the initiative as a pivotal step in Pakistan’s economic transformation, emphasizing that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day necessity for governance and industrial growth. According to the Prime Minister, the vision is to transition Pakistan from a consumer of technology to a global hub of innovation. Indus AI Week reflects this approach by integrating AI into critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance to improve efficiency, transparency, and operational outcomes. The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to equipping youth with skills to participate actively in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, stressed that the government’s focus has moved from policy formulation to practical adoption. She invited international investors to explore Pakistan’s untapped digital potential while emphasizing that the event will connect the nation’s 25,000 annual IT graduates with global AI leaders. Through initiatives like AI for HER, which addresses gender inclusivity in the AI economy, E-Sports and Gaming programs to position gaming as a high-value digital export, and a Technology and Innovation Hub connecting talent with capital, policy, and markets, the week aims to turn AI potential into measurable impact.
The program will also feature AR/VR and Robotics showcases for scalable training and industrial use, GovTech and DefenceTech exhibitions highlighting AI-enabled governance, an Industry Expo with live interviews, a National AI Training Bootcamp, and Uraan AI Techathon 1.0. Muhammad Zohaib Khan, former Chairman P@SHA and contributor to SIFC initiatives, welcomed the initiative, stating that it represents a strong collaboration between government facilitation and private-sector innovation. He noted that Pakistan’s IT industry has demonstrated its capacity through record exports, and with platforms like Indus AI Week, the country is ready to scale high-end AI research and development, positioning Pakistan as a cradle for Generative AI and deep tech innovation.
Collectively, Indus AI Week 2026 aims to establish Pakistan as a credible hub for ethical, scalable AI solutions, strengthen the startup ecosystem, and provide pathways for global investment and collaboration. The initiative underscores the country’s ambition to leverage AI for economic growth, talent development, and technological competitiveness while fostering innovation that aligns with Digital Pakistan’s vision.
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