When the federal cabinet approved Pakistan’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy in July, it was presented as a transformative step toward a digital future. The vision was bold and forward-looking: to guide responsible AI adoption, strengthen institutional and regulatory capacity, stimulate private-sector innovation, and unlock productivity across sectors such as health, education, governance and industry. At its core, the policy aimed to help Pakistan compete in a fast-moving, data-driven global economy.
The targets set under the policy were striking in their scale. By 2030, the government pledged to train one million AI professionals, launch 50,000 AI-based civic projects, and develop 1,000 locally built AI products. It also committed to awarding 3,000 AI scholarships annually and advancing several other ambitious initiatives. On paper, the roadmap signaled seriousness of intent and a desire to leapfrog into the technological mainstream.
However, six months after its approval, the gap between vision and implementation appears wide. Reports suggest that the structures required to translate policy into action—clear funding plans, institutional frameworks, and operational mechanisms—remain largely undefined. In a field as dynamic as artificial intelligence, where technology evolves at breakneck speed, delays can quickly make even the most impressive strategies outdated.
Pakistan has long struggled with this pattern: ambitious announcements followed by sluggish follow-through. Institutional inertia often slows progress, while technology and markets move ahead relentlessly. The result is that forward-looking frameworks risk remaining confined to documents rather than shaping real-world outcomes.
One of the most significant hurdles has been the limited engagement from provincial governments. The federal authorities reportedly sought provincial input on implementation, but no formal responses were received. Given Pakistan’s federal structure, effective coordination between the centre and provinces is essential for nationwide technological transformation. Without it, the policy risks fragmentation and inconsistency.
Another major concern is the delay in establishing the National AI Council, which was envisioned as the top supervisory body to guide implementation. The government has reportedly reconsidered its structure, fearing it may be overly bureaucratic and lacking in technical expertise. While revisiting the composition to include more domain specialists is sensible, the delay further slows momentum.
Of the policy’s six main pillars—building an innovation ecosystem, increasing public awareness, ensuring security of AI assets, driving sectoral transformation, strengthening infrastructure, and fostering international partnerships—only awareness efforts have shown modest movement. Even then, progress appears limited to isolated events rather than sustained campaigns or institutional initiatives.
Meanwhile, the broader environment for AI development remains underdeveloped. Reliable high-speed broadband, a basic prerequisite for AI innovation, is still inconsistent in many parts of the country. High-performance computing infrastructure and AI-dedicated data centres are scarce, with most existing facilities designed for traditional IT operations rather than advanced machine learning workloads.
Private-sector investment, which is critical for AI growth, also faces uncertainty. Investors require policy clarity, stable regulations, and long-term assurances. An evolving and opaque policy environment makes it difficult for stakeholders to commit significant capital to AI-focused projects.
Equally troubling is the slow progress on data protection and cybersecurity legislation. AI systems depend heavily on large datasets, and without strong legal safeguards to protect privacy and ensure responsible data use, innovation can stall. Clear regulatory frameworks are essential not only to build trust but also to align Pakistan with global standards.
Compounding these challenges is the country’s restrictive digital climate. Measures such as VPN limitations, inconsistent internet speeds, and discussions about tighter internet controls have raised concerns among entrepreneurs and technology firms. Innovation thrives in open, predictable digital environments; uncertainty discourages experimentation and foreign investment alike.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for recalibration. Provincial governments must actively participate in shaping and executing the policy. The National AI Council should be promptly established with a balanced mix of bureaucrats and technical experts. Infrastructure development must be accelerated, from broadband expansion to high-performance computing facilities.
Most importantly, Pakistan requires a supportive legislative and regulatory ecosystem that encourages experimentation while safeguarding rights. Without decisive action, the country risks falling behind in the global AI race. The promise of the National AI Policy remains significant—but turning promise into progress will demand urgency, coordination and sustained political will.
