ISLAMABAD, Feb 13 (APP):Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani on Friday said the government was actively leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to promote transparency, improve decision-making, stating that Pakistan was well-positioned to benefit from emerging technologies.
Addressing the participants at the National Incubation Centre during the Indus AI Week session, he said, “I would like to congratulate the Prime Minister, Minister for IT, Secretary IT and the Ministry of IT for conceptualizing and organizing this Indus AI Week 2026.”
He termed the event a valuable opportunity to bring together Pakistan’s promising IT and AI talent, saying the government had consistently tried to facilitate innovators in unlocking their true potential.
The minister observed that while AI presents vast opportunities, it also carries risks that require careful balancing through smart regulation. “We are students of this new technology and try to learn not only from our colleagues here but also from those working in more developed countries,” he remarked.
He stressed that AI was not merely a subset of information technology but a transformative force touching every sphere of life. “Whether in personal life, professional domains, government or the private sector, artificial intelligence is already interacting with us and will increasingly shape our future,” he said, noting that even everyday smartphone users were now familiar with AI-driven tools.
Highlighting the leadership’s commitment, Kayani said the Prime Minister had placed special emphasis on AI as both a technology and an opportunity at the highest level of government. Efforts were underway at the Prime Minister’s Office to integrate AI for improved governance and faster decision-making, he added.
Citing practical examples, he referred to reforms within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), including the introduction of Faceless Customs to minimize human interaction in the appraisal process. In the next phase, he said, AI-driven models were being trained to further automate and enhance customs appraisal, with plans for gradual rollout after pilot testing.
The minister underscored the importance of ensuring equitable access to AI technologies, particularly for developing countries. “We must ensure that the proliferation of AI is fair and that countries like Pakistan are not left behind,” he said, expressing confidence that Pakistan’s talent pool and growing startup ecosystem would enable it to harness AI’s full potential.