Building a highly competitive artificial intelligence ecosystem in Pakistan requires urgent investment in secure, resilient, and high capacity digital infrastructure, backed by predictable policies and coordinated efforts across the public and private sectors. PTML Chief Technology and AI Officer Awais Vohra outlined these requirements during the GSMA Digital Nation Pakistan Ministerial Roundtable, speaking at a session titled Building Trusted Digital Infrastructure for an AI-Driven Economy.
Vohra said AI driven economic growth depends entirely on strengthening Pakistan’s digital foundations through sustained investment and long term policy backing. He identified digital connectivity, network modernization, and improved reliability as core components that require continuous financial commitment, alongside the need for the industry to develop AI native capabilities suited to the demands of an increasingly AI integrated economy.
Predictable policy frameworks, Vohra said, are critical to enabling these investments, singling out affordable devices and a reliable power grid as fundamental building blocks for a successful digital ecosystem, without which accelerating AI adoption would remain difficult. He welcomed recent spectrum reforms, which he said have helped pave the way for rolling out next generation mobile services across Pakistan, building on momentum from earlier moves to expand available spectrum for telecom operators.
On security, Vohra said cybersecurity and resilience must be built directly into digital infrastructure from the outset rather than treated as an afterthought, given how deeply AI is becoming embedded across industries and society. He called for regulatory frameworks that remain forward looking and innovation friendly while still upholding high standards of security and public trust. He added that achieving these objectives requires close collaboration among government, regulators, telecom operators, technology providers, and development partners, arguing that this kind of coordinated approach would strengthen the broader economy, promote ethical AI use, and deliver benefits across sectors including education and healthcare.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
