ISLAMABAD — Six months after the federal cabinet approved the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025, its implementation has largely ground to a halt. While the policy was designed to transform Pakistan into a “knowledge-based economy,” key pillars remain untouched due to provincial silence and a mid-stream decision to overhaul the policy’s central governing body.
The AI Council: “Too Bureaucratic”
The primary bottleneck is the National AI Council, the apex body meant to provide strategic direction.
- The Problem: Government officials have delayed notifying the council, labeling its original structure—dominated by federal and provincial secretaries—as “too bureaucratic.”
- The Solution: An amendment is currently being finalized to include more local and international AI experts. The goal is to ensure the body is driven by technical expertise rather than traditional administrative silos.
Punjab is embarking on a new era of digital transformation. Breaking from tradition, the Punjab Cabinet has become the first in Pakistan to receive direct training in artificial intelligence, demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation, modern governance, and informed,… pic.twitter.com/uK0BPOkmxb
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 27, 2026
Key Roadblocks and Implementation Gaps
Beyond the council’s delays, several other factors are hindering progress:
| Challenge | Impact |
| Provincial Silence | Despite requests for input in late 2025, no formal responses have been received from the provinces, stalling a unified nationwide framework. |
| Data Center Oversight | While private data centers are expanding rapidly, there is no designated authority to regulate or monitor the “AI Infrastructure” pillar. |
| Compute Power | Experts warn of a severe shortage of High-Performance Computing (HPC); currently, only three universities in Pakistan have functional HPC data centers. |
The “Awareness” Exception: Indus AI Week 2026
The only pillar currently showing signs of life is “Awareness and Readiness.” * Indus AI Week: Scheduled for February 9–15, 2026, in Islamabad, this flagship event is being framed as the policy’s “first step.”
- The Summit: The week will kick off with the Indus AI Summit at the Jinnah Convention Center, featuring global experts from Estonia, the UAE, and Canada.
- The Goal: To move from “dialogue to adoption” by connecting 25,000 annual IT graduates with global AI leaders and investors.
Untouched Pillars
Despite the excitement surrounding Indus AI Week, critical areas like the AI Innovation Ecosystem, Secure AI Ecosystem (Cybersecurity), and the Transformation of Sectors (AgriTech and HealthTech) remain in the planning phases with no active projects.
You May Also Like: UN Unveils Independent AI Panel: The “IPCC for Artificial Intelligence”
Check out our latest video:
