Pakistan has formally outlined its national direction for artificial intelligence with the launch of the Islamabad AI Declaration, setting the tone for how the country intends to design, govern and deploy AI systems in the years ahead.
On 9 February 2026 in Islamabad, the government presented the Islamabad AI Declaration as a policy framework that positions artificial intelligence as a sovereign, responsible and capability driven national priority. Led by Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Software Export Board, the declaration lays out a structured roadmap focused on public value, institutional accountability and private sector participation. Officials described the initiative as an effort to move Pakistan from being a consumer of emerging technologies to becoming an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem while ensuring that local needs and values remain central to adoption.
The declaration is built around nine core principles that define how AI systems should be developed and implemented across the country. These include sovereign purpose and public value, human accountability and constitutional authority, pragmatic delivery with use case first thinking, and sovereign data stewardship. The framework also stresses explainable and auditable systems, coordinated whole of government governance, and inclusive access so that benefits are not limited to a small segment of society. A strong emphasis has been placed on responsible innovation, ensuring that AI applications are measurable, risk proportionate and supported by clear safeguards. By embedding trust, oversight and institutional checks into the process, policymakers aim to prevent misuse while encouraging experimentation and enterprise led solutions that can scale sustainably.
At the same time, the policy underscores the importance of private sector leadership and international engagement. Officials noted that sustainable AI growth requires local startups, exporters and technology firms to play a central role in building products and services. By aligning public infrastructure with commercial innovation, the government expects to expand Pakistan’s digital economy and create opportunities for developers, researchers and businesses serving both domestic and overseas markets. The declaration also references global leadership and responsible AI diplomacy, indicating that Pakistan intends to participate actively in international standards discussions and cross border collaborations. Through this approach, the country seeks to strengthen its reputation as a reliable technology partner while maintaining control over its data and strategic digital assets.
The announcement was supported by key stakeholders including Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Khawaja, along with technology leaders Faisal Jeddy and Amir Anzur, who echoed the message that Pakistan’s AI journey should be rooted in local capability and long term capacity building. The broader vision connects with the Digital Nation Pakistan agenda, which focuses on strengthening digital public infrastructure, expanding exports and building skilled talent pools. By framing artificial intelligence as foundational infrastructure rather than a standalone tool, the declaration presents AI as a core element of economic planning, governance reform and citizen services. With a population of more than 240 million, policymakers believe a structured and accountable AI strategy can help improve service delivery, support industry modernization and position Pakistan as a competitive technology destination in regional and global markets.
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