During a press briefing in Karachi, industry leaders from SAP emphasized the dual impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market. Saquib Ahmad, Country Director of SAP for Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bahrain, highlighted the transformative potential of AI, stating that while it may displace traditional jobs, it also opens doors to new opportunities that require a profound understanding of AI technologies.
The discussion took place at SAP’s Innovation Day, where the leadership team showcased how businesses could leverage AI to enhance their operations within the Pakistani market. SAP’s software is extensively used by top global companies and governments, including 95 of the top 100 firms worldwide and 62 governments of UN member countries.
In Pakistan, SAP has been instrumental in the digital transformation of both the public and private sectors for over a decade, offering tailored solutions across various industries such as energy, manufacturing, banking, telecommunications, and government. Notably, the federal budget in Pakistan is prepared using SAP software, and many private companies in sectors like cement, automotive, and oil & gas utilize SAP modules to optimize their operations.
SAP is also committed to capacity building among the youth, providing them with the skills needed for future IT jobs. In Pakistan, SAP has significant digitalization projects with large enterprises such as K-Electric, Tapal Tea, and MacPac, assisting them in implementing AI-driven solutions to enhance decision-making, supply chain optimization, and sustainability efforts.
The company collaborates with public sector organizations to upgrade infrastructure, improve citizen services, and foster financial inclusion. Key public-sector institutions like the Ministry of Finance & Revenue, all major power distribution companies, Pakistan Railways, and the Higher Education Commission rely on SAP solutions for efficient service delivery.
SAP continues to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance the skills of the local workforce through strategic partnerships with local technology providers and educational institutions, aiming to position Pakistan for substantial growth in the global digital economy.
Additionally, Ahmad announced that Pakistan is among the few countries where SAP offers free training on its basic modules and revealed a proposal submitted to the Ministry of Finance to enhance the operations of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
