Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has set a target to transform Punjab into an artificial intelligence enabled province by 2029, with a recent meeting held to consult on the formal launch of Punjab AI Vision 2029. The meeting brought together the chief minister and Provincial Adviser on Artificial Intelligence Ali Mustafa Dar, who briefed her on the performance of the province’s dedicated AI Office over the past two months, along with an update on Punjab’s first artificial intelligence enabled delivery unit, an initiative positioned as a first of its kind mechanism for accelerating the adoption of AI across governance and public service delivery.
During the session, Ali Mustafa Dar also briefed the chief minister on the team that has been formed to implement Punjab’s broader AI agenda, along with the onboarding programme developed with the assistance of outside experts to support the initiative. The meeting reviewed progress made so far toward the vision of transforming Punjab into an AI enabled province and discussed the future course of action needed to keep the plan on track. Maryam Nawaz also received a detailed briefing on the six core pillars underpinning AI Vision 2029, which according to earlier disclosures from the provincial government include AI infrastructure, AI governance, AI for citizens, AI for government, AI for employment and AI driven economic transformation.
The AI Vision 2029 initiative builds on the province’s first Artificial Intelligence Roadmap, which Maryam Nawaz approved earlier this year with the stated goal of making Punjab South Asia’s leading AI driven region by the same target year. Under that broader roadmap, the provincial government has projected that the programme could generate more than 100,000 employment opportunities over the next three years, while potentially increasing Punjab’s GDP by 5 to 10 percent and boosting foreign exchange reserves by 10 to 20 billion dollars through technology led growth. The chief minister has also been named chairperson of both the AI Delivery Unit and the Special Project Team responsible for overseeing implementation of the roadmap across the province.
The latest review meeting reflects the continued institutional follow through behind Punjab’s AI ambitions, with officials expressing a resolve to further improve government services, governance and public facilitation through the effective use of modern technology and artificial intelligence. Earlier progress under the roadmap has included the introduction of an AI curriculum in 100 schools across Punjab, with plans for another 155 schools to begin similar coursework, alongside sector specific initiatives such as AI based systems for smog monitoring and the establishment of a Kissan AI Board aimed at supporting the province’s agricultural community through modern advisory tools.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
