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ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja reaffirmed the government’s commitment to harnessing technology to improve citizens’ lives and make governance more efficient, transparent, and accessible on Monday.
Addressing an event titled “Future in Focus: AI and Innovation,” organised in collaboration with Meta, she said the true purpose of technology extends beyond acquiring knowledge, earning profits, or running businesses — it is to enhance the quality of citizens’ daily lives.
“Technology must lie at the heart of every developmental effort, improving how people live, work, and interact with the government,” she said. “At the heart of every technological development is the citizen. Our goal is to make the life of every Pakistani easier — economically, socially, and administratively.”
Shaza Fatima appreciated Meta’s regional leadership for supporting the government’s vision, as outlined by the Prime Minister, to transform Pakistan into a “Digital Nation.”
Highlighting key reforms, the minister said the government had digitized 98 per cent of its internal systems under the E-Office initiative, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency in official processes.
She said the objective was to bring governance closer to the people by digitizing administrative procedures and improving service delivery.
“As we roll out digital identities under our transformation agenda, we are enhancing citizens’ experience with government services,” she said.
“Under the Prime Minister’s direction, our goal is to make governance not only paperless but also contactless. Through upcoming Super Apps, citizens will be able to access government services from home — without queues, delays, or intermediaries.”
She said that the City of Islamabad App had already enabled residents to avail multiple online services. “Our objective is to eliminate inefficiencies, ensure accountability, and make government interaction seamless through technology,” she added.
The minister said that under Pakistan’s National AI Policy, the government aims to train one million youth in artificial intelligence to prepare them for a technology-driven future.
Currently, she said, around 300,000 young people are receiving free online training in AI and digital skills through the Ministry’s Digital Pakistan program, implemented by Ignite. By December, another 300,000 will join the initiative, she added.
She said inclusivity was central to the government’s approach, with 130 women-led startups supported this year alone. The initiative provides training across all levels of technology — from low-tech to high-tech — enabling young Pakistanis to gain practical AI skills.
“In the past year alone, Pakistan has witnessed a 91 percent increase in freelancers and remote workers,” she said, adding that inclusivity and capacity building were key pillars of the digital vision.
Highlighting the AI Policy’s significance, she said it would serve as a foundation for all future government, industrial, agricultural, and social efforts. The policy covers areas from economic empowerment to essential infrastructure — including computing power, GPUs, and AI-enabled cloud services — to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem in Pakistan.
The minister informed the audience that the government had received around 30,000 applications for the AI Wrapper Competition 2025, reflecting the growing interest of Pakistani youth in artificial intelligence and innovation. Regional rounds are underway, and national-level winners will be invited to Islamabad for a grand finale.
“The purpose of these competitions is to encourage young innovators using open-source platforms and entrepreneurial creativity to develop AI-based solutions for real-world challenges,” she said.
She added that these initiatives not only promote youth innovation but also help the government improve public service delivery. This year’s competition includes themes such as EdTech, HealthTech, GovTech, FinTech, and ClimateTech. “I urge industry, academia, and government to support these efforts, as cross-sector collaboration is vital for nurturing Pakistan’s AI ecosystem,” she said.
The minister highlighted the critical role of AI and emerging technologies in shaping Pakistan’s innovation landscape. She said these tools were redefining every aspect of human life — from healthcare and security to governance and social development.
Shaza Fatima said the government was working to make Pakistan a future-ready nation through comprehensive legislation, policy, and regulatory frameworks.
She recalled that Pakistan passed historic digital legislation in January, followed by the approval of the National AI Policy by the federal cabinet in July.
“These initiatives are not mere documents,” she said. “Today’s event reflects our commitment to execution. No policy or law is meaningful unless it benefits the people.”
Under the Prime Minister’s guidance, she said Pakistan possessed all the ingredients for digital success — a young population, capable educators, and a growing technological ecosystem.
She mentioned that Pakistan aimed to make its government and institutions AI-empowered to enhance efficiency and service delivery for citizens. “Our objective is to democratize governance, education, and innovation so every citizen has access to these opportunities,” she said.
Highlighting recent initiatives, the minister referred to the Meta AI Faculty Training Program launched earlier this year, which provided AI training to both IT and non-IT educators to help them integrate artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.
“Every educator — from primary level onward — should have a basic understanding of AI,” she emphasized, calling it an essential skill in today’s world.
Acknowledging partners, she thanked Dr. Naveed Iftikhar, Co-Founder of Atom Camp, and the Meta team for their collaboration. “Together, we are empowering the long-term drivers of change — our educators — who are shaping Pakistan’s AI-driven future,” she added.
She expressed gratitude to Meta for its continued partnership in promoting digital skills, innovation, and opportunities for young Pakistanis. “Our youth are the future of Pakistan, and such initiatives equip them with the tools to thrive in the digital economy,” she said.
She reaffirmed the government’s resolve to create an enabling environment for technology-driven growth and thanked all stakeholders for supporting Pakistan’s digital transformation.
The minister underscored the importance of the responsible use of artificial intelligence to ensure digital safety, transparency, and public trust.
She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to make technology safe for all — particularly children, women, and vulnerable segments of society.
“The future we are discussing today depends on the actions we take now,” she said, reaffirming her commitment to fostering ethical AI adoption and a secure digital environment in Pakistan.