ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Wednesday that Pakistan’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy, which was finalised after a year of consultations at home and abroad, is likely to be approved soon.
Speaking at a seminar at Quaid-i-Azam University, the minister reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to implementing the AI policy. She urged all stakeholders to play an active role in turning the policy into reality.
“Our main focus now is on putting the policy into action,” she said. “We want everyone to join this journey and help bring the ideas to life.”
She asked relevant experts and organisations to carefully review the six core areas of the policy and suggest improvements where needed. These areas include innovation, awareness, infrastructure, AI ethics and safety, sectoral changes, and global cooperation.
Shaza Fatima said her ministry is open to feedback through email and social media. She added that Pakistan is in a good position to embrace new technologies at a time when the global landscape is shifting.
“We have a strong starting point,” she said. “If we work together, nothing can stop our progress. But for this, we must leave behind narrow thinking and work as a team.”
The minister praised the high number of women attending the event and said their involvement in technology is essential. “No country can succeed by leaving out half its population,” she said. “Women’s inclusion is not optional—it’s necessary for growth.”
She said Pakistan must adopt modern technology and create homegrown solutions for the challenges it faces. “If we go along with these changes, we can change our country’s future,” she added.
Focusing on youth training, Shaza Fatima said that over 350,000 young Pakistanis have received training through joint programs with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Ignite, NAVTTC, HEC, and global tech companies like Google, Huawei, and Microsoft.
“Our aim is to ensure that every IT graduate either gets a job or starts a business,” she said. She said that billions of rupees have been set aside in the Public Sector Development Programme and other budgets to promote employment in the digital and AI sectors.
However, she stressed that real success depends on teamwork. “The ministry alone cannot do everything. Centres of Excellence and other institutions must work together. Development depends on national cooperation,” she said.
The minister highlighted that Pakistan hosted its first-ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Forum this year, with delegates from 45 countries, including ICT ministers. Organized with the help of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Cooperation Organization, the forum resulted in MoUs worth $700 million, making it the largest digital investment event in the country’s history.
She encouraged local firms and innovation centers to pursue international partnerships. “If you are ready to collaborate, the funding is available,” she said.
Shaza Fatima also shared that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used the forum to promote Pakistan as a rising digital economy, not just in one sector, but across the board.
She said special focus is being given to early-stage and growing startups to help them develop products and reach markets faster. She also announced the launch of the Pakistan Startup Fund, especially for AI-driven businesses.
“This fund is set to become one of the biggest government-supported platforms for innovation, research, and product development,” she added.