ISLAMABAD, Feb 09 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday said the launch of Indus AI Week 2026 marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s journey to shape artificial intelligence in line with national priorities, values and aspirations.
Addressing the opening ceremony of Indus AI Week, she said Pakistan stands at a historic turning point as emerging technologies rapidly reshape the world, adding that the country is ready to embrace this transformation and actively build its digital future rather than merely observe it.
The minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan had been investing in digitisation long before the global hype around artificial intelligence and digital governance.
She recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, initiatives such as e-facilitation centres, co-working spaces, e-libraries and single-window services were introduced across the province, including remote areas.
Shaza Fatima said the past two years had witnessed a foundational shift at the national level, with 2025 focused on strategy-building and the launch of Pakistan’s first National AI Policy in September, while 2026 would be dedicated to implementation and impact. “The launch of Indus AI Week is the starting point of turning policy into action,” she said.
She said that the week-long event features collaboration among universities, global technology firms and governments, along with demonstrations of AI capabilities from the public and private sectors, startups and defence institutions, as well as policy dialogues aimed at practical outcomes.
The minister said Pakistan’s digital transformation is being driven by the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, which provides a comprehensive governance framework for data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, blockchain and emerging technologies.
She added that the Act led to the establishment of the National Digital Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, and the Pakistan Digital Authority to oversee national and sectoral digitisation plans.
Highlighting progress under the National AI Policy, Shaza Fatima said AI education has been mandated, large-scale training programmes such as Code for AI are being launched for Pakistan’s IT workforce, and initiatives like DigiSkills are empowering citizens with foundational AI capabilities.
She added that AI is also being used to enhance transparency and efficiency through tax digitisation, track-and-trace systems and faceless customs operations.
She further announced that the government is establishing a National AI Fund to accelerate AI adoption, with a strong focus on private-sector leadership, inclusivity, open-source development and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.
Emphasising international cooperation, the minister invited global technology companies, research institutions, investors and partner governments to engage with Pakistan through sustained and structured strategic dialogues.
Shaza Fatima thanked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for his vision and leadership in driving digital transformation, saying Indus AI Week would be remembered as the moment Pakistan chose to actively build the future through innovation and intelligent technologies.