Key elements of Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025 have been revealed following its approval by the federal cabinet. The policy aims to position Pakistan as a competitive player in the global AI landscape by building a strong foundation for adoption, innovation, and talent development. The government anticipates that AI adoption will boost national GDP by 7 to 12 percent by 2030. The size of the domestic AI market is projected to grow to $2.7 billion, driven by a compound annual growth rate of 22.3 percent between 2024 and 2030.
A major component of the policy is its employment impact. The government expects the creation of 3.5 million AI-linked jobs across Pakistan, supported by targeted reskilling and upskilling programs. To build this human capital pipeline, the policy includes an annual goal of training 200,000 individuals in AI and related technologies. Additionally, it aims to develop 10,000 certified AI trainers by 2027. Financial and academic support is also being introduced, with 3,000 postgraduate scholarships and interest-free loans for 15,000 students pursuing high-tech certifications.
To support technological development, the policy outlines the establishment of a national network of Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in major cities including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. Auxiliary centers will be set up in other urban areas such as Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, and Hyderabad. These centers will serve as hubs for applied research, startup incubation, skills development, and AI model training based on centralized, high-quality datasets.
A National AI Fund will also be launched, with 30 percent of Ignite’s R&D budget allocated for financing research and commercialization of AI technologies. The policy encourages the formation of local AI solutions and their adoption across industry verticals by proposing financial incentives such as tax relief and subsidies. It emphasizes the importance of safe deployment by including national cybersecurity frameworks, human oversight standards, data privacy mechanisms, and transparency guidelines.
International engagement is a key focus of the strategy. The policy encourages cross-border research, joint AI centers, and exchange programs to integrate Pakistan into the broader global AI ecosystem. Through strategic partnerships, the policy envisions stronger collaboration in AI research, education, and commercialization.
Structured around six pillars—AI innovation ecosystem, awareness and readiness, secure AI environment, transformation and evolution, AI infrastructure, and international partnerships—the policy provides a roadmap for national AI integration. It aims to ensure that Pakistan benefits economically and technologically while maintaining ethical standards and regulatory clarity in deploying AI technologies.
