ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has been directed to shift its focus toward building commercial applications for ministries and divisions instead of concentrating on platform development. This move comes in line with the government’s broader adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline official workflows, boost efficiency, and improve management of government operations.
The directive follows the cabinet’s approval of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025, a policy framework that has been developed with extensive input from stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Cabinet members acknowledged MoITT’s efforts in preparing the policy and highlighted that AI has the potential to reshape how government functions, provided the technology is deployed in a way that benefits society broadly. The prime minister commended the initiative, remarking that while digital transitions pose challenges, AI adoption remains essential for Pakistan’s development. The cabinet stressed that commercial applications should be prioritised, enabling ministries to adopt tailored AI tools that address specific administrative needs.
Concerns were also raised regarding the potential job displacement risks associated with AI adoption. The cabinet underscored the importance of reskilling employees whose roles may be affected, while also directing MoITT to ensure that universities expand the output of AI graduates. AI literacy at the school level was also recommended to familiarise younger generations with emerging technologies. In addition, it was emphasised that AI benefits should not remain limited to urban centres or elite groups, and the ministry should actively work to avoid the creation of a rural-urban digital divide. Alongside these priorities, MoITT was instructed to align with the Finance and Planning Divisions to secure resources and to expedite work on the country’s Cloud Policy, which will underpin digital transformation.
During the cabinet briefing, MoITT highlighted the growth of Pakistan’s IT sector, which has emerged as a significant contributor to economic progress, recording strong double-digit export growth in recent years. The ministry noted that Pakistan stands at an important stage in the global technology landscape, where emerging tools such as AI, smart cities, advanced logistics, and digital health solutions are shaping new opportunities. The global AI market is projected to surpass $1.8 trillion by 2030, a trend that underscores the urgency for Pakistan to adopt structured and forward-looking policies.
MoITT further explained that the National AI Policy is structured around six pillars: AI Innovation Ecosystem, Awareness and Readiness, Secure AI Ecosystem, Transformation and Evolution, AI Infrastructure, and International Partnerships and Collaborations. By consolidating fragmented initiatives, the policy aims to coordinate investment in research, talent, and infrastructure while also embedding ethical and governance principles. The approach is designed to ensure that innovation is harnessed responsibly and that collaboration between academia, industry, and government delivers AI solutions relevant to Pakistan’s socioeconomic challenges. The cabinet acknowledged that a comprehensive framework of this nature will support the country in positioning itself as a competitive technology destination and enable AI-driven applications to improve governance, economic resilience, and service delivery.
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