Pakistan is accelerating efforts to build sovereign artificial intelligence capabilities, positioning AI as a core pillar of its digital and economic strategy through its newly approved National AI Policy.
The policy outlines a long-term roadmap focused on reducing technological dependence and strengthening national control over data, algorithms, and digital infrastructure. Key priorities include developing human capital, fostering indigenous innovation, integrating AI into public services, and establishing robust data governance frameworks.
Ambitious targets include training up to one million individuals in AI-related skills and supporting the development of more than 1,000 local AI applications. The government is also working to embed AI solutions across sectors such as taxation, healthcare, and land management to improve efficiency and transparency.
A central component of the strategy is the development of sovereign digital infrastructure, including locally controlled AI and cloud environments, ensuring that national data remains within domestic regulatory frameworks.
While Pakistan’s AI ecosystem is growing—with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 professionals in the field—scaling talent and infrastructure remains a challenge. Policymakers emphasize the need for stronger alignment between academia, industry, and government, alongside investments in connectivity, energy, and regulatory safeguards.
The initiative reflects a broader shift from being a consumer of global technology to building localized, context-driven AI systems, with the potential to enhance governance, economic resilience, and national competitiveness.
