Senator Afnan Ullah Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has introduced a bill in the Senate aimed at regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan.
The proposed ‘Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Act 2024’ seeks to address various risks associated with AI technology and includes provisions for imposing fines ranging from billions of rupees on violators.
Senator Khan, a member of the ruling party, presented the bill as a private member proposal on August 9. It was subsequently referred to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Information Technology on September 9 for further review, according to a report by The News.
Objectives of the Bill
In his statement, Senator Khan stressed the urgent need to monitor, regulate, and supervise both national and international data and information dissemination. He highlighted the potential dangers of AI, advocating for increased human oversight to avoid a “catastrophe” and to ensure that AI systems are “secure and well-protected” to foster national growth and productivity.
The bill proposes the creation of a “National Artificial Intelligence Commission” headquartered in Islamabad. The commission would have several key responsibilities, including:
- Ensuring equal access to AI opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their religion, gender, ethnicity, location, financial status, or physical ability.
- Maintaining human oversight in critical areas such as national security, health, and education.
- Guaranteeing the safety and security of AI systems, protecting them from malicious use and errors.
- Developing a strong infrastructure for AI research and development.
- Utilizing AI to improve public services in sectors like healthcare, finance, trade, and science.
Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of protecting user privacy and ensuring transparency in AI data collection, storage, and usage. It also calls for improvements in telecommunications, digital governance, and cybersecurity.
The bill outlines severe penalties for violations, with fines ranging from Rs1.5 billion to Rs2.5 billion, and possibly higher for breaches involving sensitive or classified data. However, it does not specify which violations would trigger these fines.
Global Context and Expert Opinions
In March, the United Nations General Assembly adopted its first global AI resolution, encouraging member states to monitor AI for potential risks to human rights, personal data, and fundamental freedoms.
Digital rights activists have expressed concerns about the bill. Nighat Dad, founder of the Digital Rights Foundation, criticized the proposal as “odd” and “abstract,” pointing out that Pakistan currently lacks a comprehensive data protection or privacy law. She argued that the bill appears to be a hastily proposed piece of legislation lacking thorough groundwork.
Asad Baig, director of Media Matters for Democracy, noted that the bill does not address significant global debates surrounding AI, such as the creation of deepfakes and potential solutions like watermarking AI-generated content. He argued that rather than enacting new legislation, Pakistan should focus on implementing AI-friendly policies, enhancing academic research, and providing additional funding for AI-related projects.
Mubariz Siddiqui, founder of Carbon Law, echoed these concerns, suggesting that the bill is poorly conceived. He emphasized that regulating AI is complex and requires a careful balance between mitigating misuse and encouraging innovation.
