Pakistan is taking a cautious yet strategic approach to governing artificial intelligence (AI), choosing to develop a robust ecosystem and national policy before implementing any formal AI legislation. This position was outlined by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, held ahead of a session where the “Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024” was being discussed. The bill, introduced by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, is formally titled the “Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act, 2024” and seeks to provide a legal framework for the responsible use and oversight of AI technologies in Pakistan.
MoITT acknowledged the vast potential AI holds for national growth, innovation, and development. However, the Ministry also emphasized the significant challenges AI presents, including ethical concerns, data misuse, and algorithmic bias. Highlighting global trends, the government noted that while over 50 countries have formulated national AI strategies, fewer than 10 have enacted AI-specific laws. Following this global model, Pakistan intends to focus first on creating a supportive ecosystem with strong foundations such as data governance, infrastructure readiness, and collaborative networks between academia and industry.
Currently, the leadership on AI policy development is shared between the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) and MoITT. MoPDSI has established a multi-stakeholder AI Taskforce, which includes members from the public sector, universities, and industry, to develop a comprehensive National AI Plan. This plan is aimed at guiding the development and application of AI across various sectors in the country.
Simultaneously, MoITT has constituted its own AI Policy Committee with a similar inclusive structure. This committee is in the process of drafting the National AI Policy, which will serve as a strategic roadmap to foster AI innovation, ensuring that Pakistan remains competitive in the evolving global tech landscape. The policy will be aligned with the broader National AI Plan to ensure consistency and effective implementation.
A key element of this process is inclusivity. The federal government has made it a priority to involve all provinces in policy formulation, ensuring that the eventual strategy reflects national consensus. Feedback from provincial stakeholders is being actively sought to create a truly unified and representative national AI framework.
Officials from both ministries and associated bodies agree that regulation should follow ecosystem development, not precede it. Introducing legislation too early, they argue, could create bottlenecks for innovation and limit the adoption of AI technologies. Instead, the current focus is on establishing ethical standards, enhancing data availability, and preparing governance frameworks that will support future regulation.
Once the foundational elements are in place, Pakistan will move forward with formal regulation through the proposed AI Act, designed to protect citizens and maintain ethical standards without obstructing innovation. The National AI Policy and AI Plan are expected to be finalized in the coming months, marking a significant step toward structured and responsible AI advancement in Pakistan.
