Pakistan has taken a significant step toward strengthening artificial intelligence governance. The Ministry of IT and Telecom has initiated the formation of the country’s first-ever AI Council.
This move brings Pakistan closer to fully implementing its National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025.
Officials believe the council will play a central role in shaping AI development nationwide.
The AI Council is designed to act as the highest oversight body for AI initiatives. It will supervise policy execution, funding decisions, and coordination across institutions. The government sees this step as essential for long-term digital and economic growth.
AI Council Formation and National Representation
The Ministry of IT and Telecom has already sought nominations for the AI Council. Nominations were invited from academia, industry, civil society, and citizen advocacy groups. Key economic sectors such as healthcare and agriculture are also included.
Officials confirmed that most nominations have already been received. Remaining nominations are expected to be finalized shortly. A formal notification of the council will be issued after completion of the process. The council will be chaired by the federal minister for IT and telecom. It will include strong representation from both federal and provincial governments. Members will include secretaries from IT, science, and planning ministries.
Heads of major regulatory authorities and academic institutions will also participate.
Provincial chief secretaries will be part of the council’s structure.
Industry experts and representatives from civil society will contribute to decision-making.
This diverse composition aims to ensure balanced and inclusive AI governance.
Strategic Oversight, Funding, and Ethical AI Development
According to officials, the AI Council will provide strategic direction on AI initiatives. It will regularly review progress on national and provincial AI projects. Improved coordination between federal and provincial governments is a core objective.
The council will oversee the proposed National AI Fund. It will guide the allocation of resources to priority areas and innovation programs. Dedicated venture funding for startups will also fall under its oversight. Ethical and human-centric AI development will remain a key focus. The council will ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI systems. Officials stressed the importance of responsible AI adoption across sectors.
A dedicated Policy Implementation Cell will support the council’s work. This unit will manage execution and monitor performance indicators. A master action matrix will track targets, timelines, and compliance.
Ethical standards and data protection will be closely monitored.
National AI Policy 2025 and Long-Term Digital Vision
The National AI Policy 2025 was approved by the federal cabinet on July 31, 2025.
It is a major pillar of Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan vision. The policy aims to transition the country toward a knowledge-based economy. The framework focuses on building a secure and innovation-driven AI ecosystem. It is structured around six strategic pillars. These include market enablement and sectoral transformation.
AI infrastructure development is another major priority.
International collaboration and public awareness are also emphasized.The policy promotes readiness and a secure ethical AI environment. It encourages responsible innovation aligned with global standards.
Under the policy, the government plans to train one million AI professionals by 2030. It also aims to offer 3,000 postgraduate AI scholarships each year. Regulatory sandboxes will support experimentation and innovation. AI adoption is prioritized in healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance. Plans include developing indigenous large language models. A national compute grid will support advanced AI research.
Officials believe the AI Council will accelerate AI-driven innovation. The government views it as critical for long-term economic transformation. Pakistan aims to emerge as a competitive digital and technology-driven economy.
